President Donald Trump on Monday urged members of Congress to pass legislation to allow for stricter background checks of gun users after a pair of deadly mass shootings in the US states of Texas and Ohio left 29 people dead.
“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!” Trump said via Twitter.
Trump made the comments after weekend shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio left 29 people dead and dozens of others wounded. The president is due to deliver a statement on the shootings at the White House at 10 a.m. local time.
Trump, who has faced mounting criticism in the wake of the shootings, laid blame on the news media for igniting rage in society and provoking violence.
“The Media has a big responsibility to life and safety in our Country. Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!” he tweeted.
At least 20 people were killed and 26 more wounded after a gunman opened fire in a Walmart Cielo Vista Mall in the city of El Paso, Texas, on Saturday evening. The suspect was identified by police as Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old white supremacist.
Less than 24 hours later, a gunman on Sunday killed nine people and wounded 27 others in a separate shooting in Dayton, Ohio. Police said they neutralized the shooter, identified as 24-year-old Conner Betts, in less than a minute. (UNI)
