US president Barack Obama has pledged to work with political leaders to “arrive at a consensus” on how to reduce gun violence.
Rounding off a trip that began in Aurora, Colorado, where he met families and victims of the cinema massacre there, Mr Obama told a mostly African-American audience in New Orleans that such tragedies were replayed on a smaller scale in cities throughout the country.
“I’m going to continue to work with members of both parties and with religious groups and with civic organisations to arrive at a consensus around violence reduction.”
Discussing gun control during an election year is risky, and Mr Obama has been careful to avoid offending gun owners.
“We recognise the traditions of gun ownership that passed on from generation to generation, that hunting and shooting are part of a cherished national heritage,” Mr Obama said.
“But I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals.” – (Reuters)