Shock and grief have swept the small town of Springfield, Oregon after the killing spree by one of their children.

They thought it could never happen to them. But it is just two months since the five deaths in Jonesboro, Arkansas. And this is the fifth such incident of the school year.

After Jonesboro, News online asked if America should ban the handgun. The response from the UK was a firm yes. In America the majority said no.

Now we are asking again: Should America ban the handgun?

Springfield's Governor has said: "This (tragic event) is not just a school problem. This is a much larger issue. It happens in our schools, in our streets... and in our homes and with increasing frequency by our children."

And while President Clinton expressed his condolences, campaigners for stricter gun controls warned that more shootings are inevitable as long as gun licensing and safety rules are lax.

But Americans have a constitutional right to bear arms - and it is a right that the pro-gun lobby defend at every opportunity.

A total ban on handguns in Britain became law at end of 1997 in the wake of the Dunblane Primary School massacre on March 14 1996.

So while America continues its soul searching, should President Clinton finally stem his country's gun culture and ban the possession of handguns?

What do you think?

Some comment so far:

The notion of being allowed to own a gun to protect yourself is absurd...
Daniel Lucas, USA (UK, Citizen)

Murder comes freely to any willing hand, whether by gun or bomb or poison...
Rick Bennet, USA

Your reaction in full

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