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Democratic White House challenges Republican Congress to reinstate ban on assault weapon

Xinhua, June 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday challenged the Republican-controlled Congress to reinstate the ban on assault weapons in the wake of the deadliest shooting massacre in the U.S. history.

"Reinstate the assault weapons ban, (and) make it harder for terrorists to use these weapons to kill us," said Obama at a press conference, warning that without such a ban, "these kinds of events are going to keep on happening."

The manufacture for civilian use of certain semi-automatic firearms was banned in 1994. However, when the ban expired in 2004, the U.S. Congress refused to renew the ban.

At least 49 people were killed and 53 others wounded, including a police officer, early Sunday in a shooting spree at a popular LGBT nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It was the worst mass shooing in U.S. history and the deadliest attack since the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001.

The gunman, identified by authorities as Omar Mateen of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was found dead inside the nightclub after a shootout with the police.

According to investigators, Mateen had an assault rifle and a handgun, both purchased legally early this month, and the U.S. authorities were highly confident that the gunman was radicalized on the Internet and was potentially inspired by foreign terrorist organizations.

"Enough talking about being tough on terrorism. Actually be tough on terrorism and stop making it as easy as possible for terrorists to buy assault weapons," said Obama. Enditem