In response to the horrific crossbow attack earlier this week killing Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt, the newly appointed Security Minister, Dan Jarvis confirmed that the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will look “very carefully” and consider if there is a need for legislative change.
Current legislation makes it illegal to sell or hire out a crossbow to someone under the age of 18. It is also illegal to carry a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse.
In comparison with other weapons such as guns, there is currently no registration scheme, nor licensing requirement to own a crossbow, other than having to be 18 years old or over. A review held by Pritti Patel in the aftermath of 21-year-old Jaswant Singh Chail climbing onto the grounds of Windsor Castle armed with a crossbow threatening to kill the Queen, proposed a potential licensing scheme.
Current firearms’ licensing evaluates individuals’ fitness to hold lethal weapons by considering public safety, applicants’ suitability and the reasons for firearm ownership, before issuing a firearm or shotgun certificate. It is possible that a similar approach could be adopted for crossbows. Whilst the calls for change are nothing new, we could see stricter laws on crossbows come into effect
The Regulatory and Corporate Defence Team at Birketts consists of Licensing specialists who are available to advise clients with legitimate weapon use, helping them navigate the law to ensure compliance with the relevant licensing regime.
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The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at July 2024.