Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Shane Gilmer

Ref: 2021-0140 Date: 5 May 2021 Coroner: Professor Paul Marks Area: County of the East Riding of Yorkshire and City of Kingston-Upon-Hull Responses identified: 0 / 1 View PDF

Crossbows lack essential regulation, including ownership records or licensing, unlike firearms. This absence of control over their circulation and storage, despite their lethal capabilities, poses a significant public safety risk.

Date 5 May 2021

56-day deadline 30 Jun 2021

Responses identified 0 of 1

Other related deaths Police related deaths Product related deaths

Coroner's concerns

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Evidence was heard from all police witnesses who were called, that unlike shotguns and firearms, which are subject to regulation and a record of ownership, no such provision applies to crossbows. The Crossbows Act 1987, as amended, controls the possession of crossbows by persons under 18 years throughout the United Kingdom. Once sold there is no on-going control, record or licensing requirement for these weapons, unlike those in place for firearms and shotguns, pursuant to the Firearms Act 1968 as amended. The police have no record of who owns crossbows, how they are stored, the number that are in circulation in the community and so forth, yet evidence was heard about the power and lethal capabilities of these weapons, as well as the fact that they are essentially silent. Over the last few years, there have been some high profile incidents and killings that have involved the use of these weapons and the present case is unfortunately another example.

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

Following an Inquest opened on the 13 January 2018 and an inquest hearing at HM Coroner's Court on the 12 April 2021 heard before Professor Paul Marks, BA LLM MD FRCS in the Coroner's Area for The City of Kingston upon Hull and the County of the East Riding of Yorkshire, the jury concluded that Shane Adrian Gilmer was unlawfully killed.

Circumstances of the death

Shane Adrian GILMER was shot by a man using a crossbow at Main Street Southburn, in the East Riding of Yorkshire on the evening of Friday 12th January 2018. The injuries sustained from the crossbow caused damage to the right forearm, liver, kidney and lumbar spine in which the head of the bolt was firmly lodged and these injuries resulted in catastrophic blood loss. He was transported to Hull Royal Infirmary by ambulance and despite treatment at the scene, whilst en route and at the hospital suffered a cardiac arrest from which he could not be resuscitated and died at 00:15 on Saturday 13th January 2018. The medical cause of death determined by a Home Office Forensic post mortem examinations was: 1(a) Crossbow bolt wounds to torso and right arm

Action should be taken

In my opinion, you should consider a review of existing legislation, including the Crossbows Act 1987 and the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 with the intention of regulating the sale and possession of these lethal weapons, which can currently be purchased over the counter or via the internet by any person over the age of 18 years. Currently, they are not subject to any form of license or certificate or requirement for their sale and possession to be recorded and details held by the police, as is the case with shotguns and sporting rifles. I believe that you and your Department have the power to take such action.

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Report details

Reference: 2021-0140
Date of report: 5 May 2021
Coroner: Professor Paul Marks
Coroner area: County of the East Riding of Yorkshire and City of Kingston-Upon-Hull

Responses identified

Responses identified 0 of 1

1 response not yet linked

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 30 Jun 2021.

Sent to

Home Office

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.