The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
No mention of firearm laws by president after ‘act of pure evil’
US President Donald Trump has condemned the largest mass shooting in modern American history as an “act of pure evil” after more than 50 people were gunned down in Las Vegas.
In a televised address from the White House, the American leader said he would be visiting the city tomorrow “on a very, very sad moment for me ... for everybody no matter where you are, no matter what your thought process”.
In a slow and sombre statement, Mr Trump said the nation was “joined together in sadness, shock and grief” but that the US would rally together.
“Our unity cannot be shattered by evil, our bonds cannot be broken by violence,” he said. “We call upon the bonds that unite us: our faith, our family, and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community, and the comfort of our common humanity.”
Mr Trump did not describe the gunman or suggest any possible motivation or affiliation.
He praised the first responders whom he said had prevented further loss of life.
He also offered condolences to the families of those killed, saying: “We cannot fathom their pain. We cannot imagine their loss.
“We are praying for you. We are here for you.”
He also ordered that the American flag at the White House and at all public buildings across the nation be flown at half-mast.
Unlike his predecessor Barack Obama, who used mass shootings to call for stricter gun control measures, Mr Trump made no mention of firearms restrictions.
During the presidential campaign, the president cast himself as an ardent protector of the Second Amendment.
Our bonds cannot be broken by violence