US President Joe Biden called on the United States on Tuesday to stand up to the gun lobby, after 18 children and at least one teacher were shot dead by a young man who stormed their elementary school in Texas before being shot by police.
In a speech to the nation delivered from the White House, Biden said, "When, for God's sake, are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?"
Evidently touched, he added, "It is time to turn this pain into action, for every parent, for every citizen of this country. We need to make it clear to every elected official in this country that it's time to act."
At the start of his speech, the 79-year-old Democrat said, "My hope when I became president was that I wouldn't have to do this."
Biden was informed of the news of this tragedy while on the presidential plane returning to the United States from Japan, where he participated in a four-way summit.
"I am disgusted and tired," he added.