A new BBC documentary revisits the aftermath of the 1996 Dunblane school shooting, focusing on the campaign that led to a UK handgun ban. The programme features bereaved parents, including Mick North and Pam Ross, who appeared on Newsnight to argue for tighter laws. It also includes an interview with former prime minister Tony Blair, who enacted the full ban in 1997.
The Snowdrop petition, started by women unconnected to the victims, gathered 705,000 signatures at a time when online petitions did not exist. Campaigners faced opposition from pro-handgun groups and even Prince Philip, who compared banning handguns to banning cricket bats. Some activists received hate mail.
The documentary details the political process, including the Conservative government's initial ban on handguns over .22 calibre and Blair's subsequent prohibition of all handguns. Politicians such as Alastair Campbell, Michael Howard, and Ann Widdecombe also feature. However, the programme does not explore the long-term impact of the ban on gun crime rates.
