Children Can Legally Buy Weapons Used to Kill Wildlife, MPs Warned

Tuesday 3 March, 2026

MPs have been warned that anyone - including children - can legally buy weapons capable of killing wildlife, as a legal loophole allows catapults and slingshots to be sold cheaply and without restriction across England and Wales.

The warning was issued during a Parliamentary briefing hosted by Naturewatch Foundation, which highlighted growing evidence that catapults are being deliberately misused to injure and kill wildlife, damage property and intimidate rural communities.