Dad of Columbine shooting victim wears shoes his son died in as he fights gun laws

Devoted Tom Mauser wears the trainers his son died in at Columbine High School in a dignified and powerful message to the gun lobby. Two decades after Daniel was killed with 11 other pupils and a teacher, Tom remains “mad as hell” at America’s “bizarre” gun culture. His son was only 15 when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold unleashed their carnage. Harris taunted Daniel as he cowered under a desk, then executed him when he dared to fight back. But Tom, 67, insists his death was not – and will not – be in vain. He slams the gun lobby, and President Trump, who resist reform, saying they do not understand his pain. Daniel Mauser was one of 11 children who died in the Columbine High School massacre (Image: Getty) Read More   Tom drew global attention when he stood with 8,000 ­others outside a convention centre in Denver, Colorado, ten days after Columbine. A placard read: “My son Daniel died at Columbine. He’d expect me to be here today.” A picture of Daniel – blond, blue-eyed and smiling – was held aloft as the crowd protested against the National Rifle Association’s convention, being held nearby. The NRA had been asked to cancel its meeting out of respect for the victims but refused. Actor Charlton Heston, the club’s then-president, declared there is “no more precious ­inheritance” than the Second Amendment, which allows Americans to bear arms. Tom knew in that instant he had to campaign for new laws – a battle that goes on today. And as the 20th anniversary of the shooting approaches next Saturday, he proudly wears Daniel’s trainers as a potent symbol in the fight to save lives. The lad was wearing the size eight-and-a-half Vans when ­mayhem unfolded at Columbine. Tom wears his son's shoes as

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