The community of Dunblane marked the 30th anniversary of a tragic school shooting privately, while those who advocated for stricter gun control reflected on the impact of the subsequent handgun ban.
Handgun Ban’s Legacy
For those who fought for the handgun ban, there is some consolation in the changes that followed the tragedy. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair noted that the demand for change following the shooting was unique, stating, “People make demands on the government the whole time…this demand in this way was something, it wasn’t about money, it wasn’t about priorities, it was just about a terrible, terrible event that the country was determined should lead to a change.”
George Robertson believes the ban prevented further tragedies, saying, “When there is another school shooting in America, I do take a degree of satisfaction from the fact that we stopped that from happening in our country.” He added, “There is no doubt at all in my mind. If the law had remained the way it was, it would have happened again.”
Personal Reflections on the Tragedy
Michael Forsyth, who was involved in the aftermath of the shooting, described the experience as “a miserable experience for me, but nothing like what it was for those parents who lost their children.” He expressed regret, saying, “I just wish I’d never had to deal with it.”
Kenny Ross, the father of Joanna Ross, spoke of the enduring pain of loss, stating, “Our children paid the ultimate price.” He shared a deeply personal loss, adding, “I’ve forgotten her voice,” as the tragedy occurred before the widespread use of video and mobile phone recordings.
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