A string control assembly for a crossbow having a catch, a sear, a dry fire lockout and a trigger assembly. Engaging the draw string with the catch when in the open position after firing the crossbow generates a force that pushes the catch from the open position to the closed position and automatically (i) couples the sear with the catch at the interface to retain the catch in the closed position, and (ii) moves the dry fire lockout to the lockout position to block the sear from moving to the de-cocked position. In one embodiment, engaging the draw string with the catch automatically moves the safety to the safe position coupled with the sear to retain the sear in the cocked position.