The Hungerford Massacre, August 1987

**Mikeus Caesar** · 07-07-2005, 18:58

I was searching for things on the net when i came across some info about something called the Hungerford Massacre, where a man called Michael Ryan went on the rampage in a small village with a Kalashnikov, automatic rifle and Berreta pistol and killed 16 people, injured 15 others and also set fire to his house. I've heard some stuff about this, and was wondering if anyone could give me some more info on this? One thing i have heard about it that was good is that it made the Government bring in new gun laws, prevent people from owning things like Kalashnikovs.

**Taffy_is_a_Taff** · 07-07-2005, 19:01

my father used to own a rifle that was semi-auto that he used for hunting and target shooting. He was forced to give that up.

I was only in primary school but I remember that very well.

Since then they have taken away every single other gun that he owned. He is perfectly law abiding and sane.

**PanzerJaeger** · 07-07-2005, 19:41

The anti-gun lobby loves to use high profile, isolated incidents to sweep new legislation in. I believe the same sort of thing happened in Australia, but I cant be sure as I heard it a long time ago.

**Slyspy** · 07-07-2005, 19:45

We don't have an anti-gun lobby in the UK.

**PanzerJaeger** · 07-07-2005, 19:50

Not anymore.. Funny thing happens when a lobby gets what it wants, it tends to dissipate.

If there were ever a serious movement to get your guns back, you'll see them come out of the woodwork.

**InsaneApache** · 07-07-2005, 20:08

I don't think you understand PJ we never felt the need to own arms.....it not what we do. Hundreds of years ago, maybe some guys had swords and flintlock pistols....but since we invented the Police we let them protect us, after all that's their raison d'etre.

**Productivity** · 07-08-2005, 03:21

Originally Posted by PanzerJager

I believe the same sort of thing happened in Australia, but I cant be sure as I heard it a long time ago.

Although if I remember correctly, that legislation had bi-partisan support, and was supported by just about everybody bar gun owners. Democracy at work.