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Rupert Lowe, leader of the political group Restore Britain, has been strongly urged to apologize following his characterization of the Dunblane school shooting as merely “one murder.” Lowe made these remarks while discussing the UK’s handgun ban during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast. He claimed the legislation was a response to “there was a murder in Dunblane,” and when Rogan questioned whether it was due to “one murder,” Lowe confirmed this assertion.
The 1996 massacre at Dunblane Primary School, one of the most tragic gun-related incidents in UK history, resulted in the deaths of sixteen children and their teacher. Lowe, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, recounted how his father’s pistols were confiscated following the shooting. He argued that the UK required “radical change” focused on liberating the individual. A spokesperson for Restore Britain defended Lowe by stating he was “clearly referring to one incident.” However, the comments drew widespread condemnation.
Among those criticizing Lowe was Kenny Ross, father of Joanna, one of the victims. He told BBC Scotland News that he was not surprised by the apparent ignorance displayed about the shooting’s impact. Ross highlighted the devastating nature of the tragedy and stressed that the gun ban has contributed to a safer society by eliminating private gun ownership. Reflecting on the passage of three decades since the event, he said people often forget the hardship endured and called Lowe’s statement “very ignorant and selfish.” Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr also condemned Lowe’s comments as “astonishingly insensitive” and “profoundly disrespectful,” emphasizing that referring to Dunblane as “one murder” diminishes the scale of the tragedy. Kerr described the remarks as “callous and indefensible,” noting the profound and lasting pain caused by the attack.
On 13 March 1996, gunman Thomas Hamilton entered the gymnasium of Dunblane Primary School armed with four legally owned handguns and over 700 rounds of ammunition. In less than four minutes, he killed sixteen children and their teacher, Gwen Mayor, before taking his own life. The attack injured an additional twelve children and three adults. Almost all the children killed were aged five or six. In response to this horrific event, the victims’ families established the Snowdrop Campaign, which played a critical role in pushing the UK government to enforce some of the strictest firearms regulations worldwide. Local MSP Keith Brown described Lowe’s remarks as “beyond despicable,” calling the MP “a stain on our politics.” Brown praised the Snowdrop Campaign and the resulting handgun ban as the enduring, proud legacy of the bereaved families and community affected by the tragedy.
Rupert Lowe launched Restore Britain after his suspension from Reform UK in March of the previous year. His suspension followed allegations that he had made threats of physical violence toward then party chairman Zia Yusuf. The Crown Prosecution Service later concluded that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a conviction
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