Ringo Starr - Ringo Starr Calls For Tougher Gun Laws On Anniversary Of Lennon's Death

The drummer was on hand to speak at an event held by the Non-Violence Project Foundation in London on Thursday (08Dec11) - exactly 31 years after his bandmate was murdered outside his New York apartment block on 8 December, 1980.

Starr unveiled a statue he designed of a pistol with its barrel tied in a knot, emblazoned with the word 'Imagine' in tribute to one of Lennon's greatest solo hits.

The musician then told the crowd that anyone caught with a gun should face serious punishment.

He said, "If you are caught with a gun it should be a higher sentence. Guns are just becoming more and more (prevalent). They're like the death of choice. So we hope that young people will stop.

"I can't stand up and dictate to the world: 'It's over - no more guns'. I can just do what I do, and there's another side to the story which is peace and love."

Starr also took time to remember the "mad moment" he found out about Lennon's death, adding, "My stepchildren called saying 'Something's happened to John'. And you don't think he's been killed, so you say 'Well, what's happened?'

"They called me back. They called and said 'John's been killed. He's been shot and he's dead.'

"You don't know what to do. You don't believe it really, but you know it's happening. It's just such a mad moment."