In a video shared on a secret WhatsApp group, a child pulls back the elastic of a high-powered hunting catapult, and laughs as the steel ball smashes into the squirrel’s tiny skull. The rise of "Catapult Killer Influencers" is disturbing. Across the UK, children and teenagers are buying military-grade catapults hunting for "content". [1]
They target anything that moves: from nesting swans and foxes, to family pets – filming the torture to share on social media for likes. It’s pure cruelty for "clout". [2]
Did you know, it’s illegal for anyone under 16 to buy a kitchen knife. Yet a 9 year old can buy a "tactical" hunting catapult, capable of killing a large dog, as currently there are no age restrictions in place. [3]
But, we have a rare chance to end this. This month the Government is reviewing the laws around offensive weapons, and a massive wave of public outrage could push them to act, and ban the sale of catapults to children – mirroring the laws that already exist for knives.
Sign the petition today and then share it with your friends and family so we can help stop the sale of catapults to children? It will only take a few seconds.
A recent investigation uncovered a network of nearly 500 teens and kids in these "kill groups", some primary school age. [4] They share photos of their "scores" – disturbing images of animals they have injured or killed with their catapults.
Currently, the law is powerless to stop them buying the weapons. Police may catch kids with these catapults, only to have to hand them back because possession isn't illegal, and neither is the sale. [5]
