AFTER the horror of Dunblane, the reported refusal of Tory MPs in the majority on the Commons' home affairs committee to back a ban on handguns is not just amazing, it is sick - on many counts.

For only the totally insensate could be unaware of public feeling about these guns.

More than 720,000 people have signed the petition, organised by the Dunblane families, for them to be outlawed.

Only this week, a survey showed overwhelming support - 72 per cent. - for a ban on private ownership of handguns.

For these six MPs to have ignored public opinion on this issue is an insult - and dereliction of their duty.

But why would they dare do that?

The claim that, in overruling the five Labour MPs on the committee, they have bowed to the gun lobby and are afraid of losing the votes of Tory gun owners, if true, shows the Conservatives at their most venal - swayed by interests that the vast majority reject and prepared to risk lives and public safety for the sake of them.

Can they really be so low?

Let them come out now and explain their reported action - if they think they can.

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