Petition to 'ban crossbows' after Bushey triple murder

Carol Hunt, 61, and daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at their home in Ashlyn Close, Bushey, last Tuesday (July 9).

As police confirmed that Kyle Clifford, 26, who has since been arrested, had been found by officers they added that a crossbow had been recovered.

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(Top left)Hannah Hunt. (Bottom Left) Louise Hunt. (Right) John and Carol Hunt pictured in 2015. (Image: Image: Facebook, Hannah Hunt, Louise Hunt, Carol Hunt.)

Domestic abuse worker Paula Gilly, whose partner is friends with Carol Hunt's husband John, says she unsuccessfully looked for a petition restricting ownership in the wake of the “devastating tragedy” before deciding to start her own.

“I’ve worked in domestic abuse for a long time and I’ve worked with people whose partners have threatened them with crossbows,” she said.

“What shocked me is you can go on Amazon or eBay and find next day delivery.

“For domestic abuse, this allows anyone who is impulsive or going through drug or alcohol paranoia to get one and there is no cooling off period which I think is very dangerous.”

Paula Gilly. (Image: Paula Gilly)

View the Change.org petition here

So far the petition has gathered 140 signatures but Paula, from Warrington, wants to make more people aware just how easy it is to own the deadly weapons.

The petition, calling for similar licensing restrictions to those for firearms, says: “I believe it's crucial to reconsider the availability of this deadly weapon in our society in the interest of public safety.

“Let's rally behind this cause to call for a significant change. Your voices are powerful and can prevent others from enduring similar tragedies.

“It's time our laws reflect the seriousness of the potential dangers posed by crossbows.”

Watford MP Matt Turmaine has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper calling for a review of potential restrictions.

Kyle Clifford has been arrested. (Image: Herts Police)

Mrs Cooper has confirmed she will make looking at the findings of a Home Office review carried out earlier this year a priority.

The previous government looked at bringing in firearms licensing-style rules in the wake of an attempt to kill the late Queen with a crossbow.

There is currently no registration system for owning a crossbow and no requirement for a licence. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy or own one and anyone carrying a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse could face up to four years behind bars.