Proposed Crossbow Ban Following Spate of Incidents

What Clampdown Would Mean and the Consequences of New Laws

The government has announced plans to ban the sale of crossbows and hunting arrows and introduce a licensing regime for existing owners, following a number of high-profile and fatal incidents involving the weapons.

The proposals, currently subject to consultation, represent a significant shift in how crossbows are regulated in the UK.

While the measures are aimed at improving public safety, they also raise important issues from a criminal defence perspective, particularly in relation to possession offences, licensing requirements and the scope of criminal liability.

Background to the proposed changes

The announcement follows a series of serious incidents involving crossbows, including the 2024 murders of the wife and two daughters of BBC racing commentator John Hunt.

The perpetrator, Kyle Clifford, is now serving a whole-life sentence.

Other cases have also contributed to concerns about accessibility and regulation, including the attempted attack on the late Queen at Windsor Castle in 2021, and earlier fatal incidents involving crossbows in domestic settings.

At present, the law governing crossbows is relatively limited.

While it is an offence for individuals under 18 to purchase or possess a crossbow, and illegal to carry one in public without reasonable excuse, there is no general licensing or registration system for ownership.

The government has indicated that this gap in regulation is no longer considered sustainable, particularly given concerns about how easily such weapons can be obtained online.

What the new laws may introduce

Although full legislative detail has yet to be published, the proposed reforms are expected to introduce a more restrictive framework similar to other controlled weapons.

This is likely to include:

• a ban on the sale of crossbows and related equipment;
• a requirement for existing owners to obtain a licence;
• potential criminal offences for possession without lawful authority;
• greater enforcement powers to seize weapons held unlawfully.

If implemented, these changes would mark a clear move towards treating crossbows as regulated weapons rather than items that can be lawfully owned without oversight.

Possession and licensing offences

From a criminal defence perspective, one of the most significant implications will be the creation of new possession-based offences.

Individuals who currently own crossbows lawfully may find themselves committing an offence if they fail to comply with any future licensing requirements.

As with other regulated items, the introduction of a licensing regime raises questions about how clearly the rules are communicated and how transitional arrangements are managed.

Defendants may seek to argue that they were unaware of new requirements or that they took reasonable steps to comply.

Cases may also turn on issues such as whether an individual was in possession or control of a weapon, particularly where items are found in shared properties or vehicles.

Reasonable excuse and public possession

Even under current law, carrying a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence, punishable by up to four years’ imprisonment. The proposed reforms are likely to increase scrutiny of such cases.

In practice, disputes often arise over what constitutes a “reasonable excuse”. Legitimate purposes may include sporting use, transport to a lawful location or professional activity. However, each case is fact-specific, and the burden may fall on the defence to establish a lawful explanation.

Stricter regulation may narrow the circumstances in which such defences are accepted, particularly if crossbows become subject to licensing conditions similar to firearms.

Evidential and procedural considerations

As with other weapons offences, prosecutions are likely to depend heavily on the circumstances in which the weapon was found, the intentions of the individual involved, and any supporting evidence such as digital communications or purchase history.

In some cases, issues may arise regarding search and seizure powers, particularly where weapons are recovered from private property. Defence practitioners will need to consider whether police acted lawfully under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and whether any evidence obtained should be challenged.

There may also be increased use of forensic and digital evidence, particularly in cases involving online purchases or communications suggesting intent.

Balancing public protection and fairness

The proposed reforms are clearly driven by public safety concerns, particularly in light of the serious incidents that have prompted calls for change. Campaigners have long argued that crossbows are too easily accessible and insufficiently regulated given their potential lethality.

However, from a legal perspective, it is essential that any new offences are clearly defined, proportionate and fairly enforced. The introduction of stricter controls should not lead to unintended criminalisation of individuals who have previously acted lawfully or who are unaware of new requirements.

As with other areas of weapons legislation, the clarity of statutory wording and the consistency of enforcement will be critical. Ambiguity in the law can lead to uncertainty for both the public and those tasked with applying it.

A developing area of weapons law

The government’s consultation on crossbow regulation signals a broader trend towards tighter control of weapons that fall outside traditional firearms legislation.

If enacted, the proposals will create a new category of regulated items with associated criminal offences.

For criminal defence practitioners, this is likely to result in an increase in cases involving possession, licensing and intent, often with complex factual and legal issues.

As the consultation progresses and draft legislation emerges, close attention will need to be paid to how these laws are framed and implemented.

Ensuring that enforcement remains fair and consistent will be essential in maintaining confidence in the criminal justice system while addressing legitimate public safety concerns.

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