The sister of a five-year-old girl killed in the Dunblane massacre has warned that UK gun laws are "at risk" 30 years on, as she called for the tragedy not to be forgotten. Ellie Crozier, whose sister Emma was among the 16 children and their teacher murdered at Dunblane Primary School on 13 March 1996, said it is vital to keep talking about the event.
Ms Crozier, now 28, said she and her brother Jack will always wonder what their relationship with Emma would have been like. She described Emma as "deeply loved" and said her parents used their grief to campaign for tighter gun controls, a cause she and her brother have continued.
Following the massacre, the Snowdrop Petition gathered over 700,000 signatures, leading to a ban on most handguns in 1997 under John Major's government, later extended by Tony Blair's Labour government. However, Ms Crozier noted shifting attitudes towards guns, citing American-style shooting ranges in Scotland, video games and the ability to 3D-print firearms.
"Our laws are strict, but they are not perfect, and they are also at risk," she said. "Whenever we allow easier access to guns, we create loopholes that allow these dangerous weapons to fall into the wrong hands. There is a notion, even from various politicians, that our laws should be relaxed. This cannot happen, under any circumstances."
A Home Office spokesperson said thoughts remain with those affected, adding that firearms offences are at their lowest level since 2003. The government said it keeps controls under constant review to address new threats, including 3D printed firearms.
