§ Mr. Martin O'Neill (Clackmannan)I am pleased to present what has become known as the snowdrop petition—they were the only flowers in bloom on 13 March when 16 children and their teacher were gunned down in central Scotland. The extent to which that tragedy has touched the heart of the nation and of our people can be measured by the fact that some 705,000 people had signed up to the petition by yesterday. It reads:
§ Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your honourable House introduce or amend the law relating to the ownership and usage of firearms such that:—
- 1. All firearms held for recreational purposes for use in authorised sporting clubs to be held securely at such clubs with firing mechanisms removed.
- 2. The private ownership of handguns be made illegal.
- 3. Certification of all firearms be subject to stricter control. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.