Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Follow Australia on guns, says US teen

Donald Trump has flagged tougher background checks, mental health screening and allowing teachers to carry guns in schools.

US President Donald Trump speaks to students in the White House.
Donald Trump hosted a listening session with school students following the Florida school shooting. (AAP)

A teenage student survivor of last week's school massacre in Florida has wept in an emotional address at the White House while imploring US President Donald Trump to follow Australia's lead on gun control.

Samuel Zeif, 18, sat at the listening session with other survivors and parents of children killed in school massacres including Columbine in Colorado and Sandy Hook in Connecticut.

Mr Zeif used Australia's swift gun control response after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania that left 35 people dead as an example of the path the US could follow.

"Can anyone here guess how many shootings there have been in schools in Australia since then?" Zeif, looking at the president and others at the listening session, asked.

Mr Zeif then shaped his fingers into a circle.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"Zero," the student said. "We need to do something. That's why we are here."

Mr Trump indicated he was open to tightening US gun laws, something past presidents and Congress had so far struggled to do.

Mr Trump flagged tougher background checks and mental health screens for gun buyers.

He also showed interest in allowing teachers to carry concealed guns in schools.

Nikolas Cruz, a teenage former student at Mr Zeif's Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, armed himself with an AR-15 rifle on February 14 and shot dead 17 students and teachers.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world