A recent announcement revealed that the sale of crossbows will be prohibited, with current owners required to obtain a license to retain possession of them.
New regulations are set to restrict the use of these weapons following a series of tragic incidents, including the brutal killings of Carol Hunt and her daughters Louise and Hannah in 2024. Laura Sugden, whose partner Shane Gilmer fell victim to a crossbow attack in 2018, expressed relief at the news, emphasizing the potential lives that could be saved as a result.
Additionally, the use of deadly broadhead arrows will be outlawed. This decision comes after persistent advocacy by Ms. Sugden, who survived a crossbow attack that left her critically injured while pregnant.
Ms. Sugden stated, “We have long argued that the accessibility of these lethal weapons was too easy. Shane’s tragic death was a consequence of a flawed system that failed to acknowledge the dangers.”
She further added, “Being part of the effort to bring about this change holds significant meaning for us. We firmly believe that any new legislation should be named Shane’s Law in his memory.”
Continuing her remarks, she said, “If this ban prevents even one family from enduring what we have faced, Shane’s legacy will be one of safeguarding and transformation.”
Shane, aged 30, was murdered by his neighbor Anthony Lawrence, who intruded into the loft space between their residences near Driffield, East Yorkshire, and ambushed them upon their return from a night out. Lawrence had previously menaced Shane with an axe and held the couple responsible for his eviction.
The government plans to initiate consultations on the licensing of existing crossbow owners. Those failing to apply for a license or meet ownership criteria would be mandated to surrender their weapons.
A spokesperson from the Home Office stated, “Crossbows possess significant power and pose lethal threats, as recent tragedies have underscored the catastrophic consequences of their misuse.”
He added, “Our primary objective is ensuring public safety. Hence, we are implementing stricter regulations regarding crossbows, including a licensing program for current owners and a sales ban, to proactively prevent severe harm.”
He continued, “While detailed arrangements are subject to consultation, we anticipate that current owners can retain their crossbows by applying for a license and meeting safety standards.”
These measures are aimed at protecting lives and enhancing community safety.
Presently, selling crossbows to individuals under 18 is illegal, and carrying a crossbow in public without a valid reason can lead to a maximum of four years in prison.
The Home Office will launch consultations on the licensing scheme in the upcoming months. The timeline for the implementation of the ban remains unconfirmed.
This decision follows a public consultation that garnered nearly 3,000 responses, highlighting concerns about the ease of acquiring crossbows.
Since 2021, the government has been exploring restrictions on these lethal weapons, prompted by an incident where Jaswant Singh Chail trespassed into Windsor Castle wielding a crossbow, threatening harm to the Queen.
In 2024, Kyle Clifford committed a heinous crime by using a crossbow to murder sisters Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah, 28, in their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire, after fatally stabbing their mother, Carol, aged 61.
Last year, Clifford received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, as he was handed three consecutive whole life orders. Gemma Vine, Ms. Sugden’s lawyer at Ison Harrison, remarked, “We take pride in leading the campaign that led to the prohibition of crossbow sales. This marks a significant milestone and the culmination of years of legal and public pressure.”
She added, “For too long, crossbows evaded the stringent regulations applied to other lethal weapons. This ban signifies a long-overdue reform and will play a crucial role in preventing future tragedies.”
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