'We have become numb to this' Obama calls for gun control measures after Oregon shooting
BARACK Obama has called for tougher gun control measures after at least 10 people were shot dead on a college campus.
President Barack Obama called for tougher gun control measures
Speaking after a gunman struck at the Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, Mr Obama said shooters "sickness" in their minds.
He added: "Somehow this has become routine. We can actually do something about it, but we're going to have to change our laws."
"It cannot be this easy for somebody who wants to inflict harm on other people to get his or her hands on a gun."
The suspect, a 20-year-old male, reportedly instructed pupils to stand up and state their religion before the shooting took place.
He was killed during a firefight with four weapons found at the scene, the state's attorney general confirmed.
The suspect, a 20-year-old male, was killed during a firefight
I ask the American people to get our government to change these laws and save lives
Mr Obama added: "To allow this to happen every few months in America, we collectively are answerable to those families who lose their loved ones because of our inaction.
"Prayers are not enough. This is a political choice we make.
"This is not something I can do myself. I have to have a Congress and state legislatures and governors who are willing to work with me on this.
"I ask the American people to get our government to change these laws and save lives."
Police were said to have cleared the science building of the school, which has around 3,300 full-time students and 16,000 part-time students.
The college, opened in 1964, has sixteen campus buildings located on 100 acres bordering the North Umpqua River.
Mr Obama last addressed a deadly mass shooting in June, when nine parishioners were killed at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina.
At the time, Obama said the shootings showed the need for a national reckoning on gun violence.
Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon was opened in 1964
Sheriff John Hanlin is overseeing the investigation into the shooting
The sheriff overseeing the investigation into the shooting has been vocal in opposing state and federal gun-control legislation.
John Hanlin registered his opposition this year as state lawmakers considered requiring background checks on private, person-to-person gun sales.
He said the state should combat gun violence by cracking down on convicted criminals found with guns.
Hanlin also sent a letter to Vice President Joe Biden in 2013, after the shooting at a primary school in Newtown, Connecticut.