Call for evidence outcome

Controls on crossbows

• From: Home Office
• Published: 14 February 2024
• Last updated: 19 March 2026 — See all updates

This call for evidence has closed

Read the full outcome

Controls on the use of crossbows on public safety grounds: government response

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Detail of outcome

The government response covers:

• the background to the call for evidence
• a summary of the responses
• the next steps

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Original call for evidence

Summary

Call for information and evidence about whether we should introduce licensing of crossbows on public safety grounds.

This call for evidence ran from
14 February 2024 to 11:55pm on 9 April 2024

Call for evidence description

The law on crossbows currently includes:

• age restrictions
• a ban on using them for hunting animals

Unlike firearms, there is no licensing or registration system for crossbows.

We’re interested in evidence as to whether there should be a licensing system to control the use, ownership and supply of crossbows.

Documents

Controls on the use of crossbows on public safety grounds

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Published 14 February 2024

Last updated 19 March 2026 + show all updates

1. 19 March 2026

   Government response added.

2. 14 February 2024

   First published.