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Thursday, 16 March 2006, 13:17 GMT

Gun loss fathers join campaigners

Mick North (left) and David Grimason Two fathers whose children were killed by gunmen have joined campaigners in the countdown to a United Nations conference on small arms.

Dr Mick North, who lost his daughter Sophie in the Dunblane tragedy, and David Grimason, whose son Alistair died in Turkey, met in Glasgow.

The pair helped mark the start of a 100-day countdown to the conference, which takes place in New York in June.

Both men spoke at a meeting in Strathclyde University Union.

The event also marked David Grimason's decision to join the campaign run by Oxfam, Amnesty International and the International Action Network on Small Arms calling for an international arms trade treaty.

"Every year hundreds of thousands of people will continue to lose their lives to guns"
Mick North

In a demonstration in front of Glasgow Cathedral, campaigners highlighted the human cost of the gun trade.

Mr Grimason said: "Arms control is close to my heart after losing my son, Alistair to a gun. My wife Ozlem and I have already been trying to persuade governments to tighten gun laws and thus joining the Control Arms campaign is a logical continuation of those efforts."

Alistair Grimason

Dr North said the UN conference in June was vital.

He added: "The discussions and their outcome will have a bearing on the future and livelihood of millions of people around the world.

"Without some success in curbing the arms trade, every year hundreds of thousands of people will continue to lose their lives to guns, many more will find their lives blighted irreversibly."

A total of 41 campaigners - the number of people believed to be killed every hour from gun violence - lay on the ground in front of Glasgow Cathedral, each wearing a body tag.

This was followed by the public meeting at 1300 GMT.



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Related to this story:
UK events kick off arms campaign (16 Mar 06 |  UK )
Dunblane father's anti-gun effort (13 Mar 06 |  Scotland )
Dunblane father remembers 'bright girl' (10 Mar 06 |  UK )
Anger over UK gun register delay (02 Mar 06 |  UK )
Dunblane parents still await gun register (02 Mar 06 |  Newsnight Home )
Fathers in Turkish gun campaign (12 Sep 05 |  Scotland )
Man convicted of toddler killing (19 Jul 04 |  Scotland )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Oxfam
United Nations
Control Arms
IANSA
BASC
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