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Nicholas Prosper triple murder exposes law weaknesses, says PCC Nicholas Prosper triple murder exposes law weaknesses, says PCC
(about 11 hours later)
Watch: Killer mimicked the shootings with piece of wood Juliana Falcon, 48; Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, were found dead at their home in Luton in September
The triple murder of a family by a teenager who wanted to commit a mass school shooting exposed a lack of "proper control" over who can buy a gun, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.The triple murder of a family by a teenager who wanted to commit a mass school shooting exposed a lack of "proper control" over who can buy a gun, a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said.
Nicholas Prosper, 19, murdered his mother, sister and brother in their home in Luton in September with a shotgun bought the day before using a fake licence.Nicholas Prosper, 19, murdered his mother, sister and brother in their home in Luton in September with a shotgun bought the day before using a fake licence.
Bedfordshire's Labour PCC John Tizard said the case exposed weaknesses in the current law, a sentiment shared by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.Bedfordshire's Labour PCC John Tizard said the case exposed weaknesses in the current law, a sentiment shared by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
She said these were "deep and longstanding" and that the Home Office was "urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls".She said these were "deep and longstanding" and that the Home Office was "urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls".
Juliana Falcon, 48; Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, were found dead at their home in Luton in September Watch: Killer mimicked the shootings with piece of wood
Prosper was jailed for life on Wednesday and will serve a minimum of 49 years for murdering his mum Juliana Falcon, 48, his younger brother Kyle, 16, and 13-year-old sister Giselle at their flat in Marsh Farm in the early hours of 13 September.Prosper was jailed for life on Wednesday and will serve a minimum of 49 years for murdering his mum Juliana Falcon, 48, his younger brother Kyle, 16, and 13-year-old sister Giselle at their flat in Marsh Farm in the early hours of 13 September.
He was apprehended by police before he could carry out a mass shooting at his old school, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, where he wanted to kill children and teachers, before killing himself.He was apprehended by police before he could carry out a mass shooting at his old school, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, where he wanted to kill children and teachers, before killing himself.
The sentencing judge said he wanted to "unleash disaster" upon Luton.The sentencing judge said he wanted to "unleash disaster" upon Luton.
He had a fascination with mass shooters, idolising the perpetrator of the 2012 Sandy Hook killings in the United States, and his internet history included him watching extremely violent content.He had a fascination with mass shooters, idolising the perpetrator of the 2012 Sandy Hook killings in the United States, and his internet history included him watching extremely violent content.
Watch: While he later cooperated with police, Prosper initially gave "no comment" answers at interviewWatch: While he later cooperated with police, Prosper initially gave "no comment" answers at interview
Currently to own or purchase a shotgun or ammunition a person would need a firearms certificate.Currently to own or purchase a shotgun or ammunition a person would need a firearms certificate.
In August 2024, Prosper tried and failed in his first attempt to buy a gun.In August 2024, Prosper tried and failed in his first attempt to buy a gun.
However, later that month he contacted another seller on a legal gun sales site, paying £650 plus £30 petrol money to the man for a shotgun and 100 cartridges.However, later that month he contacted another seller on a legal gun sales site, paying £650 plus £30 petrol money to the man for a shotgun and 100 cartridges.
He had researched the logos, signatures and even the type of paper licences were printed on to dupe the seller, who committed no offence.He had researched the logos, signatures and even the type of paper licences were printed on to dupe the seller, who committed no offence.
Private gun sellers need to inform police of any sale, and the person who sold the shotgun to Prosper did this on 12 September.Private gun sellers need to inform police of any sale, and the person who sold the shotgun to Prosper did this on 12 September.
Yet because this was done out-of-hours on the day before the killings, there was no opportunity for anyone to realise the gun had been sold to someone who was not a legitimate licence holder.Yet because this was done out-of-hours on the day before the killings, there was no opportunity for anyone to realise the gun had been sold to someone who was not a legitimate licence holder.
Watch: Prosper was filmed buying a gun the day before killing his familyWatch: Prosper was filmed buying a gun the day before killing his family
Tizard said: "Clearly, people need shotguns for very legitimate reasons, but at the moment if you've got a gun [and] you want to sell it to me all I have to do is show you a certificate, which may be genuine or I may have faked and you are able to sell it to me and that can't be right," he added.Tizard said: "Clearly, people need shotguns for very legitimate reasons, but at the moment if you've got a gun [and] you want to sell it to me all I have to do is show you a certificate, which may be genuine or I may have faked and you are able to sell it to me and that can't be right," he added.
He said he had written to Cooper and said a change to legislation appears "common sense".He said he had written to Cooper and said a change to legislation appears "common sense".
Tizard said he wanted to see two changes made, one being the creation of a national firearms licence holder database.Tizard said he wanted to see two changes made, one being the creation of a national firearms licence holder database.
"The second is to introduce measures that when an individual sells a gun or exchanges a gun with a third party not only should they have to see a certificate, but they need to have clearance from the police, who are the licensing authority for firearms, that the person purchasing has a legitimate right to purchase, has a legitimate certificate and can prove identity and that certificate to the vendor," he said."The second is to introduce measures that when an individual sells a gun or exchanges a gun with a third party not only should they have to see a certificate, but they need to have clearance from the police, who are the licensing authority for firearms, that the person purchasing has a legitimate right to purchase, has a legitimate certificate and can prove identity and that certificate to the vendor," he said.
John Tizard has written to the Home Secretary with his concernsJohn Tizard has written to the Home Secretary with his concerns
Cooper said what the case showed was "senseless killings fuelled purely by a disturbing fixation with violence and obsessive brutality".Cooper said what the case showed was "senseless killings fuelled purely by a disturbing fixation with violence and obsessive brutality".
She added: "This terrible case has exposed deep and longstanding weaknesses in private firearms sales, and we are urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls.She added: "This terrible case has exposed deep and longstanding weaknesses in private firearms sales, and we are urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls.
"But it also shows an urgent need to look at the very disturbing way some young people are becoming fixated with extreme violent material online and the real dangers to our communities as a result."But it also shows an urgent need to look at the very disturbing way some young people are becoming fixated with extreme violent material online and the real dangers to our communities as a result.
"From tech companies to law enforcement to schools, and right across society, stronger recognition of the nature of this threat is needed, and stronger action to prevent this kind of terrible violence."From tech companies to law enforcement to schools, and right across society, stronger recognition of the nature of this threat is needed, and stronger action to prevent this kind of terrible violence.
"This government will not shy away from taking the actions that are needed to keep communities safe.""This government will not shy away from taking the actions that are needed to keep communities safe."
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