Today we look back at a terrible incident in British history, the Dunblane school massacre.  Like many of you, we’re always shocked when we switch on the news to discover yet another school shooting.  Thankfully here in the UK they are rare, but I’m sure you agree, once is too many.

The Dunblane school massacre occurred on March 13th, back in 1996, at Dunblane Primary School near Stirling, Scotland.  The man responsible, Thomas Hamilton, marched into the school and opened fire, killing sixteen children and their teacher, before turning the gun on himself.   To this day, it remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history. 

Hamilton was a Scout leader in the 1980s but quit after allegations of improper behaviour.  He also had a history of drug-abuse.  The Dunblane massacre resulted in stricter gun laws being passed in Great Britain.  The British public called for a ban on private ownership of handguns and an official inquiry.  As a result, two new Firearms Acts were passed, outlawing private ownership of most handguns in Great Britain.

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