Campaigner says crossbow regulation doesn't go far enough, weeks on from Bushey sentencing
The government this week announced tougher age verification for the online sale and purchase of crossbows
The Government has outlined plans to strengthen regulations surrounding crossbow sales, as campaigners continue to press for more robust control of the weapons.
It follows multiple recent violent incidents, including the sentencing of Kyle Clifford for the murder of Louise and Hannah Hunt, using a crossbow, and their mother Carol Hunt who was fatally stabbed, at their home in Bushey.
Last weekend, another incident in Leeds saw two women injured by a man who was later found carrying a crossbow and a firearm.
Home Office minister Dame Diana Johnson confirmed this week that amendments have been tabled to the Crime and Policing Bill to bolster age verification checks for online sales and deliveries of crossbows.
The Government’s amendments come as part of broader efforts to tackle the growing threat of violence involving weapons.
However, campaigners argue these measures do not go far enough.
Gemma Vine, an inquest solicitor and partner at Ison Harrison Solicitors, has been campaigning for reform since the 2018 death of Shane Gilmer, who was killed with a crossbow.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, she said: "We wanted the government to consider bringing it in line with gun control, so a licensing system for anyone who wanted to purchase or sell crossbows.
"At the moment, the only real legislation relates to the age of who can buy, own and possess a crossbow, which is 21."
Ms Vine represented Shane Gilmer’s partner, Laura Sugden, during the inquest and has worked alongside her since then to push for legislative change.
Their campaign launched in 2021, beginning with a public petition.
While the Home Office initially declined to act, the 2021 Windsor Castle crossbow intrusion prompted a government consultation.
In Parliament, Dame Diana Johnson acknowledged the public concern, stating that the government "will shortly be publishing their response to that consultation, setting out how they plan to go further to limit the availability and accessibility of crossbows in this country."
While Ms Vine welcomed tougher restrictions, she argued the changes announced don't go far enough.
She said: "There needs to be more restrictions. We’ve worked quite hard providing evidence to the government, and we’re hoping that the response will lead to further restrictions.
"Crossbows being imported into the country has ever been monitored, so we don’t actually know how many there are in the country in the first place.
"We're just hoping that the government do push through with getting this response out."
Despite progress on the Crime and Policing Bill, no formal licensing or registration scheme currently exists for crossbows in the UK.
Adults over 18 are legally allowed to buy and own the weapons without any requirement for registration, training, or background checks.
Dame Diana signalled an intention to act quickly if further changes to the law are deemed necessary: "The Prime Minister has already set out that if the law needs to change to recognise this new and dangerous threat, then we will change it and do so quickly."