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.

@YellowphantGrey Don't you think a ban might lead to a reduction in people getting seriously hurt or killed?

I remember exactly the same kind of whataboutery after Dunblane, as if the (thankfully already limited) rights of gun enthusiasts were more important than innocent lives.

Crossbows are lethal weapons. They are in fact so effective that Pope Innocent III tried to ban their use (against Christians) in the Middle Ages. Nothing is going to convince me that them being freely available for purchase is a good thing and if people want to use them legitimately for target shooting, surely they would agree to them being heavily regulated and under lock and key at licensed clubs when not in use.

Wanting this does mean simplistically thinking that it will make violence against women go away.

It would lower the risk of being killed by a particular weapon but it wouldn't lower the risk of being killed by a man.

I didn't say you hadn't said about no licence but other posters have, so it was more generalised comments to the thread rather than a specific individual.

Banning won't ever happen now, like with guns.

So strict restrictions, licensing and registration, etc. is what is needed.

Obviously repercussions for male violence is necessary. I don't think anyone disagrees with that.

But it's not an either or situation. Both are necessary.

There is an existing law on the storage of weapons if under 18s have access to the property

Police guidance recommends a lockable gun type cabinet, but any weapon including ‘low power air weapons’ should be stored under a lock, with ammunition etc separate.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64b7b73a0ea2cb001315e5cc/Air_weapons_safety_leaflet_6-4.pdf

Yes both are necessary but calling for immediate crossbow bans and ignoring other factors will make zero difference.

Less then 10 people died by crossbow over a 10 year period, I can't see a ban happening any time soon so people are better focusing on campaigning for tighter regulations than berating people here who think a ban will be ineffective

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln

No useful purpose at all.

Yes there probably was similar after that awful event. I agree generally

Exactly like your post then.

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.

Yep, no useful purpose at all. Strange things to have on sale to the general public in this day and age.

You are really not making yourself look good with this.

Wasn't there some research done that found that if you have a knife block in your kitchen, as opposed to keeping kitchen knives out of sight in a drawer, then someone who is angry is more likely to pick one up and use it, simply because it easily comes to hand?

One happened near me - East Yorkshire.

A list of crackpot reasons is no reason to keep these barbaric weapons.

I don't agree with the arguments of banning crossbows not solving violence against women - it isn't about that. At least with a hand weapon the victim has a chance of running away or fighting back.
As a shooting family, I know that with rifles and shotguns we need licences, police visits and gun safes accessible only by the licence holder. I don't understand why it isn't the same for crossbows, or even more restrictive. It even isn't legal to kill or hunt using a crossbow, whereas you obviously can with a gun.

In your opinion. But then you are the one resorting to calling these men and women, boys and girls incels.

It just shows your lack of knowledge.

They can always use plastic bow and arrows... I bet most people that buy them online aren't using them for those reasons.

This 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Do you also agree that these people according to *TwinCheeks *are Incels?

And what makes them "crackpot reasons"?

Absolutely this

@StarryIsabella I do get that certain men like them. I knew a guy, ex-UK forces, who had one, along with air rifles, and a shotgun (all above board, appropriate licences). He used to shoot the air rifle in his back garden which he said was perfectly fine as long as it had appropriate backstop. I bet his neighbours didnt dare hang the washing out! He was a decent and sensible enough guy but obsessed with that kind of stuff. Used to practice that krav maga martial art with nunchucks and sticks (where use IS regulated) etc at a gym. TBH he'd probs have no problem if crossbows were banned as he can get his kicks elsewhere and he'd agree there's no need for them other than entertainment. And thats the point really. Unlike a hammer, why do we really need crossbows?! Entertainment, as PP said you cant hunt with them, so they're little more than a lethal toy.

Kitchen knives - sickles, a hardware shop locally sold serrated sickles that looked lethal -but good for brambles.

Amazon ID’d me at the front door for scissors ✂️
I actually had to get my passport to show the driver before he’d hand them over

They were just an afterthought to get free postage
I’m obviously over 25 -

Anything can be potentially used as a weapon

”Tactical” torches and pens are widely sold Under the guise of self defence

Ironically we can’t carry pepper spray like many places as it’s considered “
A firearm” in UK

@StarryIsabella

The trouble is OP, it's relatively easy to make a crossbow. Anyone with a workshop and a bit of engineering skill could do it. It's very easy to make a knife.

And anyway there are legitimate uses for knives - cooking, filleting etc. I have a bill hook for use in hedging. It's the size of a small machete and would be lethal in the wrong hands.

I think that anything with a trigger (including crossbows) and enough power to do some damage (high powered air guns) should be licenced, and have the same storage requirements as shot guns, but that's expensive.

In the end, it's the man at fault, not to weapon.

There are female Longbow tutors ( Yew bows, fired at inanimate targets )
A neighbour ( Female) shoots arrows from the back of her horse - A niche sport.