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.

and according to *TwinCheeks *they are incels. Go figure.

So historical reenactors and actors in period movies / tv are “crack pots” then?

That’s the most batshit thing I’ve seen on here in ages 😂

Imagine Game of Thrones / the Lord of the Rings with plastic bows and arrows… Hideous. And then there’s the historical education side of reenactment and period tv productions.

Calling for an outright ban and coming out with some of hyperbole on this thread is just silly.

As I’ve said previously in this thread, I wouldn’t particularly object to licensing or greater control on the sale of bows - regardless of how effective I think it will be at reducing violence against women - but I would never support an outright ban, and all some posters on this thread are achieving is to alienate people who are more moderate in their opinions.

This may sound completely bonkers to you! But the lives of women, the lives of children! The lives of everyone are more important then a small minority who use crossbows for interests. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Yes, you’re right - that does sound absolutely bonkers. You’re pushing for a control on crossbows that exceeds even that which we have on guns. Is that proportionate, or sensible?

If that is genuinely your belief, there is absolutely no hope for a reasonable consensus here.

Let's ban people then.

The problem here is men.

Not crossbows, knives or guns, men.

Some guns still exist under strict conditions. Most are banned now. There is some functional use to those that remain.
It's entirely proportionate to ban crossbows from general sale. They have no real functional use.

I'm sorry to say that answer isn't good enough! We know some men are a problem but that doesn't mean we should overlook the use of weapons that are meant to kill or can be used to easily kill. 🤦🏼‍♀️

I have no issues with restricted sales. licenced ownership, storage requirements, proficiency requirements even mental health assessments that have to be renewed every so often.

But none of this means that these men and women are incels or crackpots.

No, it just means that Men have a weapon that they can use to take a life very easily if they wish to do so....

So we should ban, any weapon or any thing that can be used as a weapon, cars (because boy racers etc.) where do you want the banning to start/stop.

I mean look at all those male chefs that are using weaponry to cook. Do we ban males from any profession where they can use something as a weapon?

@StarryIsabella I'm sorry but your response is nonsense.

Violent men will kill/strangle women with their hands if they have to, not having access to a weapon changes nothing.

Rape has virtually become legalised in the UK now. Porn everywhere, 5000 cases of sexual abuse against girls in the last few years in secondary schools.

You are literally scratching the service with your view.

Men are the problem.

Look at what prisoners in jail use as weapons ( Knew someone who worked in a prison) They improvise .
It’s the intent that is dangerous.
A chisel in the hands of a skilled joiner is one thing
In a deranged person’s hands, quite another.

That's the same argument they use in America when talking about guns....
I know men are the problem, I've repeatedly said that in other posts, but the fact that they can buy weapons like this doesn't make it right.

Maybe you should read comments before getting excited on the keyboard. 🤷🏼‍♀️

No one needs to have a cross bow. They should be banned.

If someone wants to kill another person, they will.
I seriously doubt that anyone has managed to show self restraint in regards to serious intention to murder someone else because they did not have a weapon.

Cross bows are used as sport and hobby. I used to do archery (not crossbow though), and it was piss easy to buy a bow online.

We have a real issue with knife crime in the UK, yet we can't ban or regulate the ownership of them as they are a common kitchen tool.

All we can do is make it illegal to have a cross bow in a public place (as it is with knives). But is someone is an asshole enough, they wont care and will still use it to kill anyway.

Crossbows are a deadly weapons.

They are not multipurpose like knives.

They should be subject to stringent controls in the same way guns are.

@StarryIsabella it's not the same argument as in the US at all actually.

The argument in the US is a constitutional one, the right to bare arms, and there is the NRA who lobby government continuously to keep that right.

I don't believe there is a crossbow lobby here doing the same

The argument I'm having with you, which you seem unable to engage in, is around this extremely rare use of a crossbow will make a tiny dent in the murdering of women as mainly they are stabbed, strangled or beaten.

The problem is men.

So rather than waste time lobbying government to ban cross bows, it would be better if we banned porn, tougher sentences on sexual crimes, better education of young men. Haul the CPS over the coals over the pitifully low rape convictions.

Isn't it 'interesting' that crossbows are legal in the UK but pepper spray isn't? How many attacks on women could be prevented if we had the ability to temporarily disable our attackers?

Firearms are effectively banned. People still get shot.
Ban them by all means, but I doubt if it would have any real effect.

What will you want to ban next though? Hammers, kitchen knives, bricks, rocks, screwdrivers??

If someone is motivated enough to murder then they will find a weapon.

Very good point but the issue is men will use pepper spray to disable women. Because some men will do anything to attack, rape or murder us.

Crossbows aren't the problem, violent men are. If you think those 3 women would be alive if crossbows were banned than you are delusional. He would use another weapon.

Oh dear. You really don't understand do you. Men use their hands, feet, tights, hammers, knifes, bottles, cricket bats, the wall, the floor, screwdrivers. Pretty much anything they can. (10 incidents of crossbow attacks in 10 years said the BBC reported) one of the smallest by weapon type.

Many incidents of death are by sharp instruments, then hitting and kicking, will you ban all knifes, feet and hands. I mean murdering men find a way.

It's one less weapon off the street. There's no need for crossbows to be available.