What is a crossbow and is it legal to own one in the UK?

A 26-year-old man has been detained over the suspected triple murder of Carol Hunt, wife of BBC racing commentator John Hunt, and their two daughters Hannah and Louise.

Kyle Clifford was captured after a full-scale manhunt in Hertfordshire and north London.

The three women were killed with a crossbow.

Medieval in origin, a crossbow is a short-range weapon consisting of a bow attached to a wooden or metal frame that can fire arrow-like projectiles called bolts.

Historically, crossbows were used as military weapons.

They were also previously widely used in hunting and are still commonly used in archery and sporting events.

Under the Crossbows Act 1987, it is legal to buy a crossbow in the UK and owners are not required to register the weapon or hold a licence. Similar legislation covers Northern Ireland.

However, it is illegal:

• for under-18s to own or buy one
• for under-21s to shoot one, unless under the supervision of someone older
• for owners to rent or lend one to anyone else
• to shoot one in a public space or any private place without permission

While being transported, a crossbow must be kept in a condition in which it cannot be fired.

The legislation applies to all crossbows with a “draw weight” – the force needed to pull the bow into anchor position – of 1.4kg (3lb) or more.

The maximum penalty for the sale or hire of a crossbow to anyone under 18 is six months’ imprisonment or a fine.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 also prohibits using crossbows for hunting.

In Scotland, separate legislation makes illegal to be drunk in a public place in possession of a crossbow.

Although crossbow attacks are rare, with fewer than 10 deaths between 2011 and 2021, there have been a number of high-profile cases.

In 2018, Shane Gilmer was killed by Anthony Lawrence, in East Yorkshire. His partner, Laura Sugden, who was also injured, told BBC News, in February, crossbows should have similar requirements to firearms, such as “licence and police checks”.

That same year, former nurse Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo broke into the home of his pregnant ex-wife, Sana Muhammad, in east London, firing a crossbow into her stomach. Her unborn child survived the attack that killed her.

In December 2021, Jaswant Singh Chail was arrested after going to Windsor Castle with plans to assassinate Elizabeth II with a crossbow. He was jailed for nine years for treason.

In 2021, the then Conservative Home Secretary, Priti Patel, commissioned a review into the use of crossbows, including whether greater restrictions were needed.

The Conservative government then asked for evidence about controls on their use, an exercise which closed on 9 April 2024.

The decision whether to amend the law now rests with the Labour government.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis told BBC News the government would “move at pace” to decide whether changes were necessary.

It would be a “real priority” for Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who would also consider the evidence submitted to the previous government, he said.