Government Enacts Crossbow Ban Amid Rising Violence
The UK government has announced a sweeping ban on the sale of crossbows and hunting arrows following a series of brutal attacks that have shocked the nation. Existing crossbow owners will now be required to obtain a licence under new regulations designed to curb these deadly weapons’ accessibility.
This decisive action comes in the wake of the horrific murder of the family of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, whose wife and two daughters were fatally attacked with a crossbow and a knife in their Hertfordshire home in July 2024.
Kyle Clifford, 26, received a whole-life sentence after murdering his ex-partner Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah Hunt, 28, and their mother Carol Hunt, 61 in a quiet cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The brutal incident has intensified calls for tighter controls on crossbow ownership.
Current Laws and Loopholes
At present, the UK has no registration system for crossbow owners, and licences are not required to purchase or possess one. Despite laws prohibiting children from buying or owning crossbows and strict penalties for carrying them in public without justification—potentially leading to up to four years in prison—the weapons remain alarmingly accessible. Online sales continue unchecked, as revealed by investigations.
In response to public concern, the Home Office has launched a consultation to introduce strict licensing requirements and ban the sale of new crossbows and hunting arrows. Officials report widespread alarm over how easily these lethal weapons can be acquired.
Triggering Incidents and Government Review
The government’s review follows a chilling attempt to assassinate the late Queen Elizabeth II with a crossbow. In December 2021, Jaswant Singh Chail attempted to breach Windsor Castle armed with a loaded crossbow, reportedly influenced by an AI chatbot. Chail, then 21, was sentenced in 2023 to nine years in prison plus five additional years on extended licence after admitting to treason and weapon possession charges.
Survivors and Campaigners Applaud the Ban
Laura Sugden, a prominent campaigner who lost her partner Shane Gilmer to a crossbow attack in 2018, expressed relief and gratitude at the government’s announcement. Gilmer, 30, was fatally shot by a neighbour wielding a crossbow in Southburn, East Yorkshire, in a violent home invasion that also left Sugden injured.
“We are relieved and grateful to see that there will be new controls introduced and that the government is committed to banning the sale of crossbows as well as licensing those in existence,” Sugden said. “For years, we have argued it was far too easy for people to obtain these lethal weapons. Shane lost his life because of a system that failed to recognise the risks.”
Other Harrowing Cases Highlight the Danger
Last October, a public inquiry into the Southport attack uncovered how Axel Rudakubana contacted archery retailers at age 15 requesting discreet delivery of crossbows. Two years later, he carried out a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, underscoring the ease with which dangerous individuals acquire such weapons.
In 2024, convicted stalker Bryce Hodgson was shot dead by police after breaking into a London home armed with multiple weapons, including a crossbow. These incidents reinforce the urgency of the government’s clampdown.
