U K perspective is pretty much the same amongst those who shoot, which here is a tiny minority in comparison with USA. We have profound anti gun thoughts in govenment, and although already having the most stringent gun laws anywhere....except possibly Japan..... the administration is constantly seeking to change legislation rather than implement existing laws.
Dunblane would not have happened had the local police done their job even half well, but the end result was a total ban on handguns. The rider at the time was to prevent all crime involving hand guns. Now the guncrime rate in the UK is soaring beyond control exclusively through the wide availability of illegal firearms.
Pre Dunblane I was in an unusual position being a firearms instructor to the police under Home Office provision. Although I could write a book on the things I saw first hand inside the system, the general feeling overall was that HMG got it wrong again, allow the resources to work. Dont introduce new laws instead.
A gun is an inanimate object It takes the mind of it's user to become a killer, and you can't legislate against a madman, whether he has a gun, or a car, or a plane.
Here we have gun phobia. A few weeks ago a local village was isolated. All roads in and out blocked off, a "SWAT" team ready for house to house and a chopper overhead.........the cause????? a misguided 14 year old plinking at cans in the street with an airgun from a bedroom window.
Reactions??? From the public....Tighten gun laws!!!!!!! From the police.......We need to excersise anyhow!!!!!