Crossbow grip guard

1. A crossbow comprising:

a crossbow grip guard comprising a member that extends outwardly beyond the surface of a stock in a first direction and prevents fingers of an associated user from extending above a top portion of the stock, wherein the first direction is substantially parallel to a first axis defined by a first and second end of a crossbar and the member extends for a length in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

2. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the member extends for a length that is equal to at least about one-third the longitudinal length of the stock.

3. The crossbow of claim 1 , further comprising:

a locking member that secures the outwardly extending member to the stock.

4. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the outwardly extending member is made of sheet metal, rubber, or a combination thereof.

5. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the outwardly extending member is constructed from two or more pieces.

6. The crossbow of claim 1 , wherein the grip guard is molded within the stock.

7. A crossbow comprising:

a stock;

a crossbar having first and second ends, and a center portion coupled to the stock at the center portion;

a crossbow string operatively connected between the first and second ends of the crossbar;

a trigger mechanism; and,

a grip guard adapted to prevent a finger of an associated user from extending above an upper surface of the stock when firing the crossbow.

8. The crossbow of claim 7 , wherein the grip guard comprises:

a member that extends outwardly beyond a side surface of a stock that extends downwardly from the upper surface of the stock and the member extends for a length in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.