Hi Guys, have just been watching the news and I can't believe that we're ten years on from the tragedy that was the Dunblane massacre!
I was wondering, if you thought any lessons had been learned from this appalling, tragic event, as to the regulations of guns in this country.
Sharon
X

I think that banning guns was a mistake. The only guns that have gone out of circulation are the legally held ones. Our Olympic/National shooting teams have to go abroad just to practise.

It hasn't stopped gun crime:(

Daisy

>It hasn't stopped gun crime

As has been shown by the shootings in Salford yesterday - not only did two men burst into the pub and start shooting, but the people already there had guns as well and chased the two out and shot them!

>Our Olympic/National shooting teams have to go abroad just to practise.

I thought they were still legal within a shooting club as long as the guns were kept on the premises.

I remember it as if it were yesterday.
I went into town on the wednesday morning to have false nails put on for my wedding on the Saturday.
I got back to my Fiance and my mum glued to the TV watching everything unfold. It was awful.
I have since been divorced for nearly 7 years but when I think about my wedding I still think about those poor kids that Wednesday morning :(
Lea :(

No amount of legislation will help with illegally held weapons.  It's hard to believe it's 10 years ago.  How time flies for us but must stand still for the parents who lost children.

No, a friend who was in a gun club tells me that all handgun shooting has to be done abroad.

I don't think they are allowed AT ALL...friends of ours used to shoot(as did we a long time ago, but at the Police range) the whole club shut down and went to the wall and I've seen articles where they say they DO have to go abroad to shoot! Shame huh?

It makes me wonder how they're going to get around the law for the shooting events when we host the Olympics, seeing as it's illegal to bring the weapons into the country ...

I was just thinking that too :)

I think that they are planning to hold it in France :D

Just had a quick look on the internet. Only 3 shooting events are affected by the ban - and apparently the Government IS able to make special provisions in this country for the competition (which they did for the Manchester Commonwealth Games) :)

Daisy

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, we were discussing it at work today, and how the government will manage to bend the laws to suit their own ends.
I agree that all it seems to have done is push it 'underground', like anything else, if you want a gun - you will be able to get one, that leaves it virtually 'unpoliceable'
I think I'm right in saying that Thomas Hamilton did use 'legal' weapons that were registered, to commit this attrocity, but there are still people being maimed, and worse, killed, with these weapons, I really don't think that anything has been learned from this tragedy, only again that it's the innocents that suffer

I remember it like it was yesterday.
I didn't have children then, but sat watching the news all morning crying for those poor children and the parents that had sent their kids off to school just like any other day.
No, it has not got better but in my opinion a lot, lot worse.
Sadly it seems that if you want a gun, hang around with the right, or should i say wrong people, then you can get your hands on any weapon you want. And no amount of laws will ever stop that fact.

I remember watching the TV and feeling the anguish but also fear and just sat crying.  My youngest was 5 at the time and I kept thinking of all the dangers that you try and protect your children from but when you drop them off at school you take for granted they will be safe from the outside world. Well I did anyway.

During the time my son was at his JMI mixed school I noticed the emergence of security measures such as panic buttons in the classes, then CCTV, then an internally operated release for the main doors and now when I pass the school you can see that there is a high metal fence and the gates are locked during the day.  It goes some way to giving peace of mind but really if someone wants to repeat Dunblane they will.  Last week the staff in the French school let in the guy who took them and students hostage because they knew him.  Unfortunately you can't tell if the local weirdo is going to turn psycho just by looking at him.

It's a sad fact that we always seem to follow the American social trends and even though we don't have the freedom to legally buy guns as Americans do there still seems to be an upward trend in gun related crimes. I would like to know how the police are trying to tackle this specific problem.

I was at Crufts when it happened & staying over in a hotel. Everyone was totally stunned in the hotel

The Guy in France had been a teacher at schoiol & p*ss*d off that he wasn't offered a full time job I think

What can the police do Not a lot as you can buy guns over the net & smuggle guns in on ferries etc Criminals will always find a way to get weapons unfortunately & I totally support the police if they shoot someone they believe to be armed & likely to harm/kill innocent people

I remember as clear now as then
It was my son's 5th birthday and he was siting there crying we will remember it every year for that reason
My son said to me I will never forget my 5th birthday because of what happened. and we still light a candle on 13th for the little children that died.
so sad

Many members of my family are rifle shooters, some at National level. I used to shoot but gave up, like any sport it needs time and dedication. Getting a firearm certificate isn't easy. Hamilton, I believe, was issued with a firearm certificate - despite repeated reports that he was 'unsuitable' to hold one. The police ignored these.....who knows why, one report mentioned that he was a 'Freemason' and luckily for him they 'stick together'. The police were aware that he had problems. There is no reason why one man needed so many guns. Questions should have been asked - but obviously weren't.
I remember one chap, many years ago, who joined our rifle club. He applied for a firearm certificate. On it he was asked to declare any convictions. He didn't declare that he had been arrested for fighting and although I can't remember if it went to court or not (that he lied)......guess what ? - they then went ahead and gave him a certificate anyway !. Not the sort of man you want with a firearm, and not the sort of club member that is wanted.
Dunblane was the most horrific thing to happen, and believe me, genuine rifle shooters would gladly give up the sport they love if taking their guns away would stop it ever happening again. Sadly, they took away many handguns etc - but it has made no difference.