Yahoo Finance Woman who lost partner in crossbow attack wants ‘medieval’ weapon regulated
A woman who survived a terrifying crossbow attack in which her partner was killed has called for legislation governing these “lethal, medieval weapons” to be brought into line with firearms laws.
Laura Sugden was 20 weeks pregnant when her neighbour, Anthony Lawrence, attacked her and her partner, Shane Gilmer, after he suspected they were getting him evicted.
Gilmer, a 30-year-old housing officer, died in hospital shortly after the attack, and on Friday an inquest jury returned a conclusion of unlawful killing.
The type of crossbow used to kill him can be easily bought for £150 and has been used in several high profile murders, yet laws that govern their use and purchase are “woefully inadequate”, said Sugden’s solicitor, Gemma Vine. “They are powerful and life-endangering weapons that ought to require the same checks and licences as gun owners [undergo],” she said.
Under current legislation, it is an offence for crossbows to be bought by or sold to under-18s. But any adult can buy one without undergoing any special checks. “In contrast, the Firearms Act 1968 requires those wishing to possess a firearm or ammunition to be assessed by the police, and also restricts ownership in certain circumstances,” said Vine. “These checks mean that members of the public are protected from potential misuse. Yet we do not know how many crossbows there are in circulation in the UK or in what circumstances they are held. Something must be done to help stop such horrific attacks and deaths.”
Lawrence lived next door to Sugden and Gilmer in Southburn, a village in east Yorkshire. He launched his attack in January 2018 after breaking down a wall in the shared loft and climbing through the loft hatch, laying in wait for the couple to return from a night out.
He went on the run after the attack and killed himself, but would otherwise have stood trial for murdering Gilmer and attempting to murder Sugden, the jury were told.
Following the inquest, coroner Prof Paul Marks said he would be making a “prevention of future deaths” report, to raise concerns about the danger of crossbows which are currently unregulated.
In a statement afterwards, Sugden said: “Shane was murdered in the most cruel and terrifying way imaginable. It is unbelievable that the sale and ownership of such a lethal, medieval weapon remains unregulated in our modern society.
“There are no laws in place to help prevent crossbows from falling into the hands of twisted and dangerous individuals like Anthony Lawrence.
“This lethal weapon has been forgotten about in the government’s strategy on tackling gun and knife crime. That’s why today, in loving memory of Shane, and to honour our beautiful daughter that he never got to meet, I am launching a campaign to call for legislation governing crossbows to be brought in line with firearms laws.”
She said she would be speaking with MPs and the home secretary to see what could be done to reform crossbow laws.
She added: “Shane was a loving partner and a wonderful dad and stepdad; he is missed every day by me and the rest of his family. It was clear from his final words how much he loved us all and I hope he knew how much we all loved him.”
