Six years ago, following a series of crossbow atrocities, I visited the Fantasia store in Leeds, tucked away in the shadows of the world-renowned Kirkgate Market and the luxurious Victoria Gate shopping centre. Amidst a collection of samurai swords, machetes, and axes, I was taken aback by how straightforward it was to purchase an assault-style Panther 175lb crossbow without needing to present any form of identification or answer any questions about its intended use. The entire purchase process, which included instructions on how to assemble the weapon from its box, took just five minutes.
Our expose led to renewed government pledges to enforce a crackdown, reports the Express . However, on Wednesday, following the triple murder of three women in Hertfordshire in what police describe as a "targeted" attack by a crossbow-wielding assailant, I revisited the store to see if purchasing a crossbow would be just as simple. In fact, it was even quicker.
READ MORE Family-of-six save £20k in two years by moving into double-decker bus I informed the store assistant that I wanted to buy a crossbow as a gift. Without asking about the age of the intended recipient, the assistant apologised that they only had one crossbow left in stock the intimidating Cyclone self-cocking pistol. They mentioned they also had one remaining Panther at their storage unit, but it would take a "couple of days" to be delivered.
Therefore, if I wanted one immediately, it would have to be the £42.99 pistol desi.