On this day in 1996, Thomas Hamilton, a lone gunman, walked into the local school in Dunblane, Scotland, armed with an array of hand-guns. In a three minute killing spree sixteen children, aged five and six, were shot dead together with their teacher. Hamilton, a local man, aged 43, then turned a gun on himself and took his own life. The horrific attack began shortly after 9.30 a.m. as the Year One pupils were beginning an exercise class in the gym with their teacher, Gwen Mayor. A message of sympathy was sent by the Queen to the people of Dunblane.The Snowdrop Campaign
In the aftermath of the tragedy a campaign, led by Mrs Ann Pearson, was set up to abolish the ownership of hand-guns. It became known as 'The Snowdrop Campaign' , so called because March is snowdrop time in Scotland. As a result the Conservative government, led by John Major, proposed changes to the laws governing these weapons. Eventually, the Firearms (amendment) Act of February 1997 was passed, banning the purchase, selling, and ownership of hand-guns. Only pistols able to fire .22 smaller cartridges were exempt. With a change of government in 1977 came new legislation to declare all hand-guns illegal, this measure became law in November 1977.
