THE parents of the 16 children murdered in their primary school at Dunblane reacted angrily yesterday after a Commons Home Affairs Select Committee rejected their demands for a total ban on private handguns because it would be too expensive.
Police forces from across Britain, politicians from all parties, and the anti-gun lobby also condemned the decision by six Tory MPs to overrule the view of their five Labour colleagues by arguing that a ban would be a "panic measure" which would cost millions of pounds to enforce.
The Dunblane parents denounced the decision as "disgraceful" and accused the Tory MPs of "insulting" the memory of their children and their teacher, Mrs Gwen Mayor.
Mrs Isabel Macbeath, whose five-year-old daughter, Vhairi, was killed, said the Tory MPs appeared more concerned about the rights of the gun-lobby than those of the public. "The committee has placed private privilege over the general public safety; the safety of ordinary people," she said.
Mr John Crozier, who allowed a photograph of his five-year-old daughter, Emma, to be used in the campaign against handguns, said: "It is a disgrace to our parliament who have produced such a weak and pathetic set of recommendations."
Britain's powerful gun lobby celebrated the decision, accusing the Dunblane parents of seeking revenge by "fuelling a screaming baying mob" against people who owned handguns.
"The fact remains that they are seeking revenge for the terrible and deeply shocking thing that happened to them. Surely public opinion can be wrong on occasion," said Mr Guy Savage, of the Shooters' Rights Association.
Mr Chris Mullin, one of the Labour MPs on the committee, accused the Tory MPs of succumbing to pressure from the gun lobby and ignoring police evidence.
"Frankly, if you cannot face up to the core issue after Dunblane you never will. If we allow Dunblane to pass without something serious happening I think you will have to recognise inertia will take over. I think there are mighty vested interests involved and I don't think the Conservative Party is capable of facing up to them on the question of guns," he said.
The Police Federation, which had supported the handgun ban, said the committee had not only ignored all the evidence, but it had defied public opinion. "Powerful minority groups should not be allowed to determine public policy against the wishes of the people," said Chief Supt Brian Mackenzie, president of the Police Superintendents' Association.
Several Conservative MPs also denounced their colleagues' stance, accusing them of "embarrassing" the party and suggesting that their findings were "completely unconvincing".
John Mooney adds: Under the 1925 Firearms Act, it is illegal to hold or carry a handgun in this State except under special licence. All Irish gun-licence applicants are vetted by the Garda before receiving any firearms certificate. According to the Garda press office, Ireland has some of the most effective firearms legislation in Europe.
Gun enthusiasts apply for licences at their local Garda station, where they complete an application form and have their personal details taken. Background checks are then conducted by gardai attached to their local station on the information supplied.
This process is aimed at ensuring that local criminals cannot get legal access to a gun by slipping through a central firearms applications office.
In order to prevent the theft of legally held guns, gun owners are required to store their weapons in a secure holding facility. Professional shooters who own high-calibre rifles must store their guns in tamper-proof compartments which are inspected by the Garda.