The Home Office has unveiled sweeping new measures to ban the sale of crossbows entirely, while introducing a mandatory licensing scheme for current owners. This major crackdown comes in response to a series of harrowing incidents, most notably the brutal 2024 triple murder of Carol Hunt and her daughters Louise and Hannah by crossbow killer Kyle Clifford.
Government Announces Stronger Controls
A Home Office spokesman emphasised the urgency of the action, stating: "Crossbows are powerful and deadly weapons, and recent tragedies have shown the devastating harm they can inflict when they are misused. Our priority is keeping people safe. That is why we are introducing stronger controls for crossbows, including a licensing scheme for existing owners and a ban on sales, so we can prevent serious harm before it happens."
Licensing Scheme for Existing Owners
The government plans to launch a formal consultation on the detailed arrangements of the licensing scheme in the coming months. While the exact implementation date for the sales ban remains unconfirmed, officials expect that current crossbow owners will be permitted to retain their weapons provided they apply for a licence and successfully pass all necessary safety checks.
The decision follows a comprehensive public consultation that garnered nearly 3,000 responses, highlighting widespread public concern over the alarming ease with which crossbows can be purchased. The government's scrutiny of these weapons dates back to 2021, following the incident where Jaswant Singh Chail breached Windsor Castle grounds armed with a crossbow, threatening the late Queen.
Background of the Tragic Case
The policy shift is heavily influenced by the horrific 2024 attack in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Kyle Clifford used a crossbow to murder sisters Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28, after having already stabbed their 61-year-old mother, Carol Hunt, to death. Clifford was subsequently handed three whole life orders in 2025, ensuring he will never be released from prison.
The Home Office reiterated that these measures are fundamentally about protecting lives and enhancing community safety. By outlawing new sales and regulating existing stock through a robust licensing framework, the government aims to curb the potential for such deadly weapons to cause further harm.
