Gun control laws

• the changes in gun laws in the UK were changed as a result of two mass shootings:

  • 1987 shooting in Hunger-ford Berkshire
  • 1996 shooting in Stirling Scotland
• 1987 shooting in Hunger-ford Berkshire

  • Micheal Ryan, an unemployed antique dealer, shot and killed 16 people
• 1996 shooting in Stirling Scotland

  • 16 children and one teacher were shot dead at Dunblane primary school by Thomas Hamilton
• As a result of these two mass shootings the law was tightened in 1997 following a government enquiry led by Lord Cullen
• John Majors conservative government introduced an act banning all handguns except .22 single shot weapons
• Following Labour victory in the general election in 1997 Tony Blair introduced a second Firearms Act banning the remaining handguns as well
• Two important campaigns helped to press for change in the law:

  • the Gun Control Network
  • The Snowdrop Campaign
• the Gun Control Network

  • Set up by lawyers, academics and parent of victims to campaign for tighter gun control laws
• The Snowdrop Campaign

  • started by bereaved Dunblane parents and their friends, organised a petition and collected 750,000 signatures calling for a change in the law