After a series of deadly gun attacks, US President Joe Biden has called for tighter gun laws and a ban on assault rifles.
"How much more bloodshed are we willing to accept?" Biden asked during an emotional speech at the White House in Washington on Thursday evening (local time).
"We cannot let the American people down again." The Democrat called it "ruthless" that Republicans in the US Senate blocked any tightening of regulations.
Before the congressional elections in November, he called on Americans to "put this issue at the center of their voting decisions."
Biden said if a ban on assault rifles is unenforceable in Congress, the minimum age for purchasing these weapons should be raised from 18 to 21.
He also called for a ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines.
Checks of gun buyers should be strengthened.
Laws to safely store guns and protect against potentially dangerous gun owners would need to be enacted.
Manufacturers of firearms should be able to be held liable.
"It's time to act.
For the children we have lost, for the children we can save, for the nation we love," Biden said.
Huge problem with gun violence
"This isn't about taking anyone's guns away," the president said.
"I respect the culture, tradition and concerns of legitimate gun owners." However, like all rights, the Second Amendment right to gun ownership is not absolute.
“Over the past two decades, more school-age children have died from firearms than duty police officers and active-duty soldiers combined.
Think about it.” Behind Biden burned 56 candles, which the White House said should represent victims of gun violence in all 56 states and territories of the United States.
The rampage at an elementary school in Texas last week in particular once again fueled the debate about tightening gun laws in the USA.
For years, many Republicans have opposed stricter regulations, such as a ban on assault rifles.
The US has long struggled with massive levels of gun violence.