When were handguns banned in the UK?

Answer 1

The private ownership of handguns was banned in the UK in 1997.

The ban came around in response to the Dunblane School Massacre where handguns were used in a shooting that resulted in the death or injury of 32 victims, most of whom were children under 8 years old.

Answer 2

Around about the time of the Russian Revolution and the "Red Scare". This did not make much difference to gun ownership rates or crime rates. After the Dunblane Massacre in 1996, laws were tightened up to some of the toughest in the world, especially since the perpetrator had obtained the weapon without breaking the law.

Answer 3

Guns became illegal in Britain under the 1997 Firearms Act. There has been a strong push recently to have this law overturned.