To ban crossbows & Military style knives in UK?

[StarryIsabella]

First time poster, long term reader!

So I've been following the horrific news today about the monster who killed his ex partner, her sister and mother yesterday in Enfield (London).

Louise Hunt- (25) Hannah Hunt- (28) Carol Hunt- (61)

Reports state that he used a crossbow and other weapons (mainly knives) apparently he killed them in quick succession all at once at their home yesterday.

It shocks me how someone can obtain a weapon like a crossbow that fires arrows rapidly with immense force that can easily break through bone and kill. It's literally a gun, it loads and fires to kill if that's your intention.

Does anyone think these kind of weapons should be banned? What purpose do they serve? If it does serve a purpose then at least install a licence to own one where they can do background checks and interview the person for their reasons to owning one.

Alas! Another woman who wanted to be independent was brutally murdered along other her sister and mother for it.

Just a quick edit: killings with crossbows have happened before in the UK

In 2010, 40-year-old Stephen Griffiths killed 3 women in Bradford that he didn't know. He later admitted he was obsessed with killers and had a hatred for women. All 3 women were complete strangers to him.

It’s very rare for a cross bow to be used as a weapon to kill, unsure if it’s ever happened before, and normally they are used for sport. The sad truth is if he wanted to kill he could habe used a kitchen knife. Or his bare hands,

I completely agree OP.

Is it confirmed he was an ex partner? I suspected as much but hadn’t seen it anywhere. Vile man.

Yes they should be banned, there is no need for them in this country.

It has, I’m sure there’s been others

https://news.sky.com/story/amp/crossbow-killing-man-facing-eviction-after-feud-with-neighbours-waited-in-their-home-before-shooting-inquest-told-12273672

Completely agree OP.

Link to the Bradford monitor who used a crossbow

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bradford-west-yorkshire-11541168

I’ve no idea what crossbows are for, but the sad fact is that violence against women and girls will in no way be reduced or mitigated, as violent men will always find a way.

This.

Someone wants to kill then they will. Crossbow killing is rare.

It has been done before. I recall an ex husband killing his ex wife this way, whilst his kids and her new husband were in their home.

Ok it’s rare. Sigh.

Rarer than other methods, sure. Doesn't mean action is not necessary.

I just don't understand why it's so easy to get a crossbow or a 20 inch Rambo knife... Etc.

What kind of people buy these weapons with good intentions.

Where do you draw the line in banning things people can kill other people with?

Whilst I can see why the immediate question is 'why does anyone need a crossbow' (the answer is typically, sports/competition) - it isn't addressing the issue which really is 'people violently murdering other people' or even 'men violently murdering women'.

I actually don't disagree that our archery laws could stand updating... given it is still the law that all males in England over the age of 14 should do 2 hours long bow practice a week...

But that isn't the solution. Men like this will kill people with whatever they have to hand, if its not a crossbow or a massive military style knife, its a kitchen knife, a length of cord or their bare hands...

Why, and what, if anything, can be done to stop them wanting to kill in the first place?

My brother had a crossbow when we were kids. He thought it was cool and he hasn't killed anyone.

I know it's really important to feel you are DOING something when a tragedy like this happens. But rather than banning something that will just be replaced with another weapon, why not fundraise for Women's Aid, volunteer with a women's group or charity, do something to reduce the chances of a woman being harmed? It will make a difference. Banning crossbows won't.

I guess the argument against crossbows is the same as that against guns: you can't run away from a gun, you can run away from a knife.

I would definitely need to read up more in this area but without looking at what currently exists:

It would seem reasonable to me to manage crossbows/bows similarly to guns: if they are a low power level then no requirement for special storage, higher level = shotgun style licencing and storage requirements and high level = rifle style. You could probably have a higher baseline for what's dangerous than e.g. air rifles and air pistols (for which there are no legal requirements for storage) because it's a lot harder to set a bow off accidentally I think?

You can ultimately never remove the risk but given there is already a regulation system in place you could piggyback on, it feels like it might be an acceptable compromise.

It has happened before a man killed a sex worker with one , can't remember the year.i think in Sheffield perhaps though I maybe wrong on that part.

You’re always going to get sadistic warped individuals who will go to any length to get whatever weapon they fancy. If they can’t be bought over the counter then they’ll acquire them online or elsewhere.
These horrific, appalling murders, any murder, are incomprehensible to me; the fact is that if a man is intent on killing he will use whatever he has to do so.
Violent men won’t care what they use.
Utterly sickening, I feel so sorry for the father, older daughter and their family.

You've got half a chance with three of you to fight someone off with a knife, not with a weapon like that though.

It's absolutely sickening. What an absolute coward this man is. What on earth goes through their tiny dicked, worthless minds to believe their actions are remotely justified? I can't help hoping he is horribly murdered in prison.

This.

Is it wasn't a military knife, it would be a kitchen knife.

If he didn't buy a cross bow, he could easiky build one, or find something else to use, or most likely have got a shotgun licence.....

A lot of members of the Crossbow Vendors Association in this morning, I see.

Of course they should be banned. They are used to terrorise. There's no reason for them to be readily available. This line is easy to draw.

It's a no brainier, isn't it?

Yeah, sure, they might find other ways to do kill someone but why make it this easy to kill someone this way?

I may have a chance to survive if a man fights with his hands or a knife.
But no one would stand a chance against a crossbow.

So yeh I'd like them banned anyway!

I agree they should be banned. They have no use other than to kill or maim. The fact that a child thinks a weapon is ‘cool’ as PP said, is not a reason for them to have one! How many people are killed accidentally by children with guns in the US?!

What kind of people buy these weapons with good intentions.

Hobbists
Sportspeople
Re-enactors
Professional renfaire artists.
amatuer enthuiasts
movie fans
theatre and movie prop professionals.

Most of your list are fine with replicas. Not sure what sport requires military knives.