Families who lost loved ones in the tragic 1996 Dunblane massacre have criticized Rupert Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain, for minimizing the horrific event by referring to it as “one murder.” This controversial statement was made during a discussion about gun control on a popular podcast hosted by Joe Rogan.
Lowe, who was previously involved in a dispute with Nigel Farage and subsequently ousted from Reform, mentioned the Dunblane shooting while discussing the ban on handguns in the UK. He described the ban as a result of “a murder up in Dunblane.” When Rogan questioned this characterization by asking, “One murder?,” Lowe reiterated, “One murder,” expressing frustration over the impact of gun law reforms on his father, who had his pistols confiscated following the tragic incident.
The Dunblane massacre, which occurred on March 13, 1996, claimed the lives of sixteen young children aged five and six, along with their teacher Gwen Mayor. The gunman, Thomas Hamilton, attacked a primary one PE class at Dunblane Primary School, also injuring twelve children and three adults before taking his own life.
Kenny Ross, whose daughter Joanna was among the victims, criticized Lowe’s comments, highlighting the ignorance and insensitivity displayed towards the tragic events of Dunblane. Jack Crozier, who lost his sister Emma in the massacre, emphasized the gravity of the tragedy and condemned Lowe’s description of it as “one murder.”
Politicians and community members have strongly condemned Lowe’s remarks, labeling them as deeply disrespectful and shocking. Labour MP Chris Kane raised concerns in the Commons, stating that Lowe’s comments had caused significant offense in his constituency. Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr emphasized the magnitude of the tragedy, highlighting the impact on the local community and the lasting trauma experienced by children and teachers.
SNP MSP Keith Brown denounced Lowe’s comments as despicable, emphasizing the legacy of the Snowdrop Campaign, which led to the ban on private handgun ownership in the aftermath of the Dunblane massacre. Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour deputy leader, called for Lowe to issue an immediate apology for his insensitive remarks.
The Dunblane massacre had a profound impact on the UK, prompting the implementation of stringent firearms legislation. Following the tragedy, the government introduced a ban on most handguns in 1997, which was later expanded to include all cartridge ammunition handguns under Tony Blair’s Labour government.
A spokesperson for Restore Britain defended Lowe’s statement, claiming that he was referring to a singular incident. The tragic events of Dunblane continue to serve as a reminder of the importance of gun control and community resilience in the face of such atrocities.