UN Official Calls for Stronger US Gun Laws

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The United Nations’ human rights chief has urged the United States to establish stronger gun control measures.

Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein is the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. He says the current gun laws are too easy and, in his words, leave “little space between murderous impulses and actions that result in death.”

His comments were made in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement came two days after the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. Forty-nine people were killed in the attack early Sunday at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

The U.N. human rights chief knows the United States well. From 2007 to 2010, Zeid served as Jordan’s ambassador to the U.S. and Mexico.

In the statement, Zeid was critical of what he called “irresponsible pro-gun propaganda.” He asked how many more shootings the U.S. must experience before Congress takes action.

“Society — in particular its most vulnerable communities and minorities who are already facing widespread prejudice — pay a high price for the failure to stand up to the lobbyists and take the necessary measures to protect citizens from gun violence,” Zeid said.

He added that the families of those killed in mass shootings have the right to stronger gun controls.

I’m Caty Weaver.

This story was published on VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

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