A PARENT whose child was killed in the 1996 Dunblane massacre has joined the chorus of disapproval at comments on firearms legislation made by Ukip leader Nigel Farage.
Mr Farage told a radio phone-in that the ban on handguns, introduced after Thomas Hamilton killed 16 children and their teacher, was "ludicrous".
John Crozier's five-year-old daughter Emma was shot dead at Dunblane Primary School. Mr Crozier, who still lives in Dunblane, said he was convinced the handgun ban had meant that, unlike in other countries, there had been no repeat in the UK of a school gun massacre.
He said: "A whole generation have grown up since the handgun ban was introduced and thankfully there have been no more school shootings in Britain. How many lives have been saved? Just look at the USA, where the number of children killed and injured by people with guns in schools and colleges is obscene.
"It is not the ban on handguns that is ludicrous, it is the foolishness of those who would risk our children's lives so that a few people can play with guns."
Mr Crozier, whose daughter is buried beside her best friend Joanna Ross, another of the children killed by Hamilton, added: "No doubt Farage is trying to cash in on the money that those who sell and manufacture guns throw at politicians who show them support.
"As someone who has had to endure the agony of losing a child to gun violence I urge people to treat Farage and Ukip with the derision they deserve."
Graham Houston, SNP councillor for Dunblane, echoed Mr Crozier's comments. He said: "I'm amazed at the insensitivity that Mr Farage has displayed in making these comments. It just shows how disconnected he is from the people of Dunblane and Scotland."
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