§ Mr. RuaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers are available to him to control the ownership and use of crossbows; and what plans he has to extend them. [123469]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeNo such powers are available to the Secretary of State.
The Crossbows Act 1987 applies to crossbows with a draw weight of 1.4 kilogrammes or greater. It makes it an offence to sell or hire a crossbow to persons under the age of 17, and prohibits persons aged under 17 from possessing a crossbow unless supervised by someone aged 21 or over.
In addition, the Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits the possession in a public place of any offensive weapon without good reason or lawful excuse.
There are no plans to amend this legislation at present.