QUAKERS in Burnley and Pendle called for a total ban on the sale of all guns as Prime Minister John Major promised a review of gun laws in the wake of the Dunblane tragedy.

The Quakers, the Religious Society of Friends, drew up a petition to the government after meeting on Saturday, saying that the massacre of innocent children had confirmed their worse fears.

They want the government to ban the sale of guns, weapons and firearms of all descriptions without exception.

Member Ken Clarke said: "As Quakers we are totally opposed to firearms and the terrible tragedy of Dunblane confirms the fact that these terrible weapons bring nothing but death and destruction to people.

"We feel that firearms are designed as an instrument of death, no matter what people in the gun clubs say.

"Nobody will ever forget Dunblane, and nobody should.

"We have all seen on the television that the people there are good folk, both Protestant and Catholic, but there is no comfort for them if what happened to those little children makes no difference to how guns are controlled.

"I have been a paramedic for 20 years, and have seen the consequences of gunshot wounds. The exit wound from a gun can be as big as six inches. It causes terrific damage."

Church congregations and families across Burnley and Pendle joined the nation on Sunday in silent tribute to the 16 children and their teacher who were killed.

Flags flew at half mast over town halls and messages of condolence were sent to the bereaved town.

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