Biden on Texas shooting that killed 21 people: ‘Put this pain into action’

US President Joe Biden speaks about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24 – Photo: REUTERS

After returning to the US from a 5-day tour of Asia, on May 24 (local time), US President Joe Biden gave a speech at the White House about the mass shootings that shook the US, causing at least 21 deaths. The dead, including 18 students and 3 adults, at Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas.

According to AFP news agency and Reuters, President Biden has called on Americans to stand up against pro-gun lobbying and pressured members of Congress to pass sensible gun legislation.

“It’s time to turn this pain into action for every parent, every citizen of this country. We must make it clear to every elected official in this country that it’s time to act.” Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Biden called the Texas elementary school shooting “another massacre” as many “beautiful, innocent” second, third and fourth graders were killed.

“The parents of the kids will never see their kids again, will never let the kids jump in bed and cuddle them,” Biden said from the White House.

When running for the White House, Mr. Biden promised to promote gun safety measures and reduce tens of thousands of US gun deaths each year.

However, he and other Democrats failed to find enough votes in Congress to pass background checks on gun purchases or other bills.

According to ABC News, the shooting is the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. The incident comes about four years after a gunman shot dead 10 people at Santa Fe High School in the Houston area.

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas said the suspect, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, also died at the scene, believed to have been shot by authorities.