Texas shooting: Madonna urges US to 'wake up' to gun control in hard-hitting video
Madonna today urged the US to 'wake up' to the need for tighter gun laws after the Texas school shooting in an emotional and hard-hitting Instagram post.
The singer took to social media to urge the US government to 'protect our children' and pass gun reform laws now.
Her words went alongside an emotional video of children singing in a school choir as small coffins topped with flowers were carried into a church.
It also featured a photo of all 21 victims of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, earlier this week.
In an impassioned plea, the mum-of-six wrote: "I cannot imagine the heartache and heartbreak the parents of these 19 Children must feel. I have children in elementary school and if they did not come home from school one day I don’t think I could survive.
"How is this possible that an 18 year old boy, who is a child himself, can purchase 2 automatic Rifles on his birthday with no background check, no safety training, no questions asked?????
"The shooter posted countless warnings on IG and facebook announcing his plans to shoot his grandmother and students in a school. No one noticed!! No one stopped him. How Is this possible?
Read more: How to talk to children about the Texas school shooting
"The NRA refuses to change its position and legislation cannot get one bill passed that requires tougher fire arm safety laws. In spite of the fact that there have been more gun deaths in America than there are days in this year. How is this possible???
"We need to Protect Our Children!! We need to reduce firearm access to people who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
"We need to Insist on mandatory training for gun owners, the same way we require people to study and pass a test to get a drivers license. A car is a Potential weapon if not used properly. So Is a Gun!!! Hasn’t anyone drawn this correlation?
"If we can’t change the constitution we must Beg Law makers to pass Gun Reform NOW!!
"How tragic is it that we have to Beg to keep all children, all humans safe from Gun Violence?? How is this Possible? No more words action only. #guncontrolnow"
Watch now: Prayers, tears at vigil for Texas shooting victims
Fans were quick to praise the singer's stance, with one replying: "Thank you for always saying the right thing. 🙏🏻 Praying for the families affected."
Another wrote: "Enough, is Enough! 💔 Gun Control Now!! ✊️"
The tragic event in Texas is the deadliest US school shooting in nearly a decade since the Sandy Hook attack in 2012 when 26 people were killed.
It has reopened the debate over America's controversial gun laws and led to new calls for stricter controls.
