A gunman on Friday shot dead 20 small children and six teachers at the Newtown school, in one of the worst incidents of its kind in US history.
Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop told ABC TV she was sure US President Barack Obama, members of Congress and senators would want to debate the issue.
"There has to be an end to this kind of senseless killing," she said.
"I'm sure there will be a search for the cause, for the meaning and a debate will ensue in the United States about what they can do to stop this kind of tragedy occurring again."
Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen said he hoped Mr Obama would tighten gun laws now that he was into his second and final term.
"I certainly hope that America, as a society and under the leadership of the president, can tackle this issue," he told Sky News.
"You can't say there's no link between lax gun laws and these events occurring far too regularly, in my view."
Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer said a person was 15 times more likely to be shot dead in the USA than in Australia.
The veteran National Party member supported the Howard government introducing tough gun control measures opposed by much of his party following the Port Arthur massacre in April 1996.
"Surely this time congress and the administration will stand up to the National Rifle Association and fix the broken US public policy settings on firearms," Mr Fischer told AAP.
Malcolm Turnbull tweeted his support for tougher gun control in the US.
"Listening to President Obama on #AM who could not weep with him and all Americans at yet another tragedy. When will America act on guns?" he wrote on the social media platform Twitter.
Greens leader Christine Milne said she was pleased to hear Mr Obama talking about taking meaningful action after the "devastating shooting".
"After Port Arthur massacre, gun control achieved because of tri-partite support. In USA the Republicans would need to support it. Hard to see," she tweeted.
Share
