'Long past time for action': Obama hits out at Republicans, gun lobby after Texas shooting

In the wake of the Texas shooting in which at least 19 elementary school students and two teachers were killed, former US President Barack Obama criticised the Opposition Republican party for failing to take action against the "gun lobby" in the country.

Former US President Barack Obama on Tuesday, May 25, lashed out at the “gun lobby in the country and alleged that it was being backed by the Republicans. His comments came in the wake of the Texas school shooting that left at least 19 students and two teachers dead. The shooter shot his grandmother before moving on to the school.

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The 18-year-old gunman, Salvador Ramos, who opened fire on the students and staffers of Robb Elementary School in Texas, US, on Tuesday was later shot dead by police.

Obama said: “Nearly ten years after Sandy Hook—and ten days after Buffalo—our country is paralyzed, not by fear, but by a gun lobby and a political party that has shown no willingness to act in any way that might help prevent these tragedies.”

He was referring to the Republican Party which has been opposing stricter gun laws in the country. "It’s long past time for action, any kind of action. And it’s another tragedy—a quieter but no less tragic one—for families to wait another day," he said.

Obama’s comment came after Republican Marjorie Greene said that there was no need for more gun control and instead the country should be looking at “mental health” of people and “medicines”.

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