Luna
13-03-2006, 08:20
There is a programme on tonight at 9pm bbc1 about this not sure if i really want to watch it but just to let everyone know
Candles will be lit in Dunblane on the 10th anniversary of the massacre of 16 children and their teacher.
The victims' families will be grieving in private as no official ceremony is planned in the Perthshire town.
However, gun control campaigners are using the day to step up their demands and voice concern at delays in creating a national firearms register.
Gunman Thomas Hamilton killed himself after shooting his victims in Dunblane Primary School's gymnasium.
A spokesman for the families said they would light candles on Monday, as they had done every year since the tragedy.
This year is no different to last year or the one before that
Ann Dickson
Local councillor
He said: "We will recall with great affection how so many people in Dunblane and beyond also lit candles on the first anniversary to show that our children and their teacher were not forgotten.
"We hope they will be remembered on this 10th anniversary."
The Reverend Colin McIntosh, the local minister, said: "The community as a whole has decided that they would like to make it a quiet, peaceful time and I would like to respect that."
Local councillor Ann Dickson said: "Everyone just wants to get on with it now.
"This year is no different to last year or the one before that. There's not a soul in Dunblane that feels any different."
New laws
After the 1996 shooting a petition demanding curbs on the ownership of handguns gathered almost 750,000 signatures.
New laws banning the private holding of handguns were introduced by the government the following year, despite opposition from the gun lobby.
However, campaigners say that not enough has been done.
Thomas Hamilton killed 16 pupils and their teacher
A UK-wide firearms register has not yet been compiled because of computer software problems.
Scottish police forces can now check details of gun owners and whether they have had licences revoked - but only within Scotland.
Mick North, whose daughter Sophie was one of the Dunblane victims, has campaigned for a national gun register.
He said the pro-gun lobby claimed it was their right to carry on a sport responsibly, but the right to bring up his daughter had been taken away from him.
Labour peer Lord Corbett, who has raised the issue in the Lords, said the delay was a disgrace.
Candles will be lit in Dunblane on the 10th anniversary of the massacre of 16 children and their teacher.
The victims' families will be grieving in private as no official ceremony is planned in the Perthshire town.
However, gun control campaigners are using the day to step up their demands and voice concern at delays in creating a national firearms register.
Gunman Thomas Hamilton killed himself after shooting his victims in Dunblane Primary School's gymnasium.
A spokesman for the families said they would light candles on Monday, as they had done every year since the tragedy.
This year is no different to last year or the one before that
Ann Dickson
Local councillor
He said: "We will recall with great affection how so many people in Dunblane and beyond also lit candles on the first anniversary to show that our children and their teacher were not forgotten.
"We hope they will be remembered on this 10th anniversary."
The Reverend Colin McIntosh, the local minister, said: "The community as a whole has decided that they would like to make it a quiet, peaceful time and I would like to respect that."
Local councillor Ann Dickson said: "Everyone just wants to get on with it now.
"This year is no different to last year or the one before that. There's not a soul in Dunblane that feels any different."
New laws
After the 1996 shooting a petition demanding curbs on the ownership of handguns gathered almost 750,000 signatures.
New laws banning the private holding of handguns were introduced by the government the following year, despite opposition from the gun lobby.
However, campaigners say that not enough has been done.
Thomas Hamilton killed 16 pupils and their teacher
A UK-wide firearms register has not yet been compiled because of computer software problems.
Scottish police forces can now check details of gun owners and whether they have had licences revoked - but only within Scotland.
Mick North, whose daughter Sophie was one of the Dunblane victims, has campaigned for a national gun register.
He said the pro-gun lobby claimed it was their right to carry on a sport responsibly, but the right to bring up his daughter had been taken away from him.
Labour peer Lord Corbett, who has raised the issue in the Lords, said the delay was a disgrace.