Shooting range plan disgusts Dunblane dad

Father of victim hits out over return of ‘gun culture’

New team ready for Bake Off on Channel 4

The father of a victim of the Dunblane shooting tragedy has expressed disgust at a planned new gun range for public entertainment – which is to use real deactivated automatic weapons.

Black Eye Reality is seeking a public entertainment licence to operate the range, which will allow customers of “all ages and abilities” to get their hands on rifles, pump action shotguns, Sig and Glock pistols and lasers, at the Coasters indoor centre in Falkirk.

Dr Mick North, whose five-year-old daughter Sophie was killed by Thomas Hamilton, together with 15 of her classmates and their teacher, in the 1996 atrocity, said he was horrified by the idea of children and adults being able to play with real firearms.

He 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.

“It feels like a step backwards to a gun culture that I’d hoped had diminished in Scotland following the handgun ban.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said the force was not in a position to comment on the matter because the application was still in the early stages with Falkirk Council’s licensing board.

The shooting range is the brainchild of ex-serviceman Barry Mitchell, formerly of the Royal Logistic Corps.

Mr Mitchell said: “These weapons were deactivated in America and they have gone through the Secretary of State’ s gun proofing house in Birmingham where each one is checked and given a deactivation certificate.”

He said Police Scotland officers had inspected the weapons and had no concerns about them. The judges and presenters for the Great British Bake Off have united for the first official picture ahead of the new series launching on Channel 4.

Returning judge Paul Hollywood joins newcomers Prue Leith, Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding in the photo, in which they all hold up cupcakes while standing behind a table filled with tasty baked treats.

Former Great British Menu star Leith has filled the gap left by Bake Off stalwart Mary Berry, while QI quizmaster Toksvig and comedian Fielding have replaced former presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins.