Father of shot toddler takes campaign for tougher arms trade laws to UN

David Grimason's son Alistair was killed by a stray bullet during a gunfight in a cafe.Oxfam Scotland

The father of a toddler from East Kilbride who was killed by a gunman's stray bullet is visiting the United Nations to campaign for stricter arms trade regulations.

For the first time since the incident in Turkey nine years ago, David Grimason will not mark the anniversary of his son Alistair's death by visiting his grave.

Mr Grimason is in New York with Oxfam Scotland, lobbying governments to sign up to an international Arms Trade Treaty.

Alistair was sleeping in his pram in a cafe when a gunfight broke out in 2003. Since then his father has toured the world campaigning for arms trade controls.

Mr Grimason said: "What happened will never leave me. I think about Alistair every day – about what he would be like, what he would be doing - and never more so than today.

“Every year since Alistair was killed I have visited his grave in East Kilbride on the anniversary but, this year, I have taken the decision to be at the United Nations instead.

“I hope by sharing what happened to Alistair, particularly on the anniversary of his death, will focus minds here on what they must deliver to try and prevent any more needless deaths”.

Oxfam says one person dies every minute because of armed violence, while milliosn of others are injured and forced to flee their homes.

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