DUNBLANE DAD’S GUN CLUB DISGUST
Application for shooting range using converted automatic rifles
A DUNBLANE massacre victim’s father has hit out at plans to open a shooting range where customers will be able to get their hands on automatic weapons.
Dr Mick North, whose five-year-old daughter Sophie was one of 16 children killed along with a teacher in a mass shooting at the town’s primary school in 1996, was disgusted when he heard about the venture in Falkirk, less than 20 miles away.
Black Eye Reality are seeking an entertainment licence from Falkirk Council to operate the range, which will use deactivated rifles, pumpaction shotguns and Glock pistols.
Their website states it is the only shooting simulator in the UK using real converted weapons.
Mick said: “I’m disgusted at the thought that anyone can take pleasure from this type of activity and that there are those who wish to make money from it.
“Looking at the pictures on their website, it’s clearly being sold on the basis that people will get a kick from using real guns – and the presence of a child in one of the photos is particularly worrying.
“It feels like a step backwards to a gun culture that I’d hoped had diminished in Scotland following the handgun ban.”
The shooting range is the brainchild of ex-serviceman Barry Mitchell, who said police officers had inspected the deactivated guns and had no concerns about them.
He added: “Basically they are just paperweights that look like real weapons.
“We had an open day that went really well.”
Falkirk North SNP council candidate David Alexander said he had received a number of complaints about the application, adding: “This shooting range is something which I don’t want to see in our area.”
Police Scotland wouldn’t comment while the licensing application is pending.