Donald Trump admits ‘more has to be done’ in wake of mass shootings
Donald Trump has admitted that “perhaps more has to be done” to tackle America’s gun problem after two mass shootings took place over the weekend.
The president was speaking after two separate incidents in the US claimed the lives of 29 people.
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A gunman killed nine people and wounded at least 26 others in a shooting in Dayton, Ohio, early on Sunday, while on Saturday 20 people were shot dead in a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, wounding at least 26.
Speaking to reporters earlier today, the US president said “hate has no place in our country” as he pledged: “We’re going to take care of it.”
“Hate has no place in our country and we’re going to take care of it,” he said.
“We’re doing a lot of work, a lot of people are working right now, a lot of law enforcement people and others. I spoke to members of congress about whatever we can do and a lot of things are being done right now as we speak.
“On behalf of our first lady and myself, condolences to all. We have to get it stopped. This has been going of for years – for years and years in our country and we have to get it stopped.”
He added: “We have done much more than most administrations…we’ve done actually a lot but perhaps more has to be done.”
The US president has faced accusations of inciting racial hatred through his use of language and policies such as the border wall with Mexico and immigration detention centres.
A number of Democratic candidates for the presidency criticised Trump’s stance of immigrants, including Beto O’Rourke, who grew up in El Paso.
Earlier Trump appeared to link gun legislation with immigration reform as he issued a call for stronger background checks.
“We cannot let those killed in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, die in vain,” he said.
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“Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform. We must have something good, if not GREAT, come out of these two tragic events!”