Gun legislation became the talking point in the United States following the St Louis high school shooting on Monday, October 24. The incident claimed the lives of three, while seven more sustained injuries in the shooting.

Soon after the shooting took place, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that further action is the need of the hour to prevent gun violence in the country in a press briefing. Monday’s shooting took place at Central VPA High School in St Louis and similar incidents throughout the year have rocked the nation.

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“Every day that the Senate fails to send an assault weapons ban to the president’s desk or waits to take another common sense action is a day too late for families and communities impacted by gun violence,” the White House press secretary said.

As per Michael Sack, the interim St Louis Police Chief, the gunman responsible for Monday’s high school shooting used a long gun. He also revealed that the shooter had almost 12 magazines which had 30 rounds each, indicating that the gunman was prepared to cause more mayhem.

US President Joe Biden has been a vocal supporter of gun laws in the country. He also signed a federal gun safety package earlier this year following the July Fourth mass shooting in Highland Park that claimed the lives of seven and injured almost 50 people.

“This morning, another shooting — another school shooting — this time in St. Louis, Missouri — has reportedly left at least three people dead, including the shooting suspect, and injured several others,” the statement at Monday’s press briefing read.

“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by today’s senseless violence, particularly those injured and killed, their families, as well as the first respondents,” it added.

The White House statement on Monday’s high school shooting also spoke about prior similar incidents across the country in Newtown, Buffalo, Parkland and Uvalde among others while calling for action to put an end to gun violence in the United States.

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“In the wake of Newtown, Parkland, Buffalo, Uvalde, and countless other shootings in communities across the country, we need additional action to stop the scourge of gun violence,” it read.

“Every day that the Senate fails to send assault weapons ban to the President’s desk or waits to take another — other common-sense actions is a day too late for our families and communities impacted by gun violence,” the statement concluded.