Change can happen
Families of Dunblane massacre victims offer hope to Florida after atrocity
RELATIVES of the Dunblane massacre victims have sent a letter of support to the US school where a mass shooting happened last month.
On the 22nd anniversary of the shootings in Dunblane, survivors and families wrote to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people died in the Valentine’s Day massacre.
In Scotland, 16 children – aged five and six – and teacher Gwen Mayor were murdered by Thomas Hamilton when he opened fire on a gym class at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996.
The massacre in the Perthshire town shocked the nation and led to the UK enforcing some of the strictest firearms legislation in the world.
Families in Dunblane posted a video of relatives, including siblings and parents of those killed, reading the letter on Parkland;s Facebook page on the “most poignant” day of the year for those in the Scottish town.
They say “change can happen” and wish the US students “wisdom and strength” for their campaign against gun violence.
Describing how people in the town felt compelled to take action after the 1996 massacre, they said: “The gunman owned legal weapons and it was so easy for him to obtain these legal weapons and, like you, we vowed to do something about it.
“Most politicians acted, laws were changed, handguns were banned and the level of gun violence in Britain is now one of the lowest in the world.
“There have been no more school shootings.
“We persuaded British lawmakers not to be swayed by the vested interests of the gun lobby, we asked them to put public safety first and to heed the will of the majority of the British people.” They added: “We want you to know that change can happen. It won’t be easy but continue to remind everybody of what happened at your school and the devastation caused by one person and one legally owned gun. “Wherever you march, whenever you protest, however you campaign for a more sensible approach to gun ownership, we will be there with you in spirit.” The February 14 shooting in the US sparked marches demanding tighter gun controls. Shooter Nikolas Cruz, 19, is facing 17 first-degree murder charges and possibly the death penalty after prosecutors yesterday filed the formal notice.
Wherever you march, whenever you protest, we will be there in spirit SURVIVORS