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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Torcuil Crichton

Skye and Dornie 'shootings' prompt call for gun regulations review in Scotland

Ian Blackford has called for a review of gun regulations in the light of the alleged series of horrendous events which left one man dead and three injured in his Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency on Wednesday.

A man was killed and three people were injured in a devastating series of attacks, believed to involve a firearm and knives, on Skye and on the mainland village of Dornie, near the Kyle of Lochalsh.

Police Scotland said a 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday in relation to several violent incidents which left 47-year-old John MacKinnon dead at his home in Sasaig, in south Skye, after being shot.

Half an hour earlier a woman was stabbed in nearby Tarskavaig and later a two people were injured in an attack in Dornie before police contained the situation.

READ MORE: Heartbroken Skye councillors pledge to support families of 'gun rampage' victims

Blackford, the SNP leader at Westminster said, the events highlighted how gun regulations should continue to be reviewed.

He added: “We need to look and see what lessons can be learned from this. Some people in rural communities are critical of the severity of regulations on firearms but here is the reason why.”

The MP told the BBC on Thursday it was “only right” agencies were strict about granting licences.

He said: “I think in any situation, whether there’s this one, and of course, we were looking at what had been a very painful anniversary of Dunblane or that not that long ago. I think it is important that we continue to assess where we are.

"These are very controversial topics and of course, in these rural areas, we’re all aware there are applications from time to time for people that have licences for guns particularly when it comes to agricultural matters.

“Given what we have seen over the course of the last 24 hours, it is right and proper that we continue to look at the regulations that we have in place for the very simple reason that all of us have got a responsibility to keep people safe.”

While, Scotland's Finance Secretary Kate Forbes described the news as "one of the worst days that I can recall in the history of Skye and Lochalsh".

Ian Blackford said the tragedy threw the spotlight on gun regulations (STV)

The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch added: "West Highland communities are close-knit, we are warm and welcoming, and this will shatter us to the core.

"It feels like our very heart has been ripped apart. I, and I am sure many others, never thought we would see such an awful day."

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