Ricky Gervais has spoken out against US gun laws, after two journalists were shot dead live on air at a shopping plaza in Virginia.
The shooting took place at approximately 6:45am (10:45 GMT) during an interview at the Bridgewater Plaza, in south-central Virginia, around 120 miles (190 km) from the capital of Richmond.
Reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, were both killed, while an interviewee was wounded.
Live footage of the incident shows Parker and the interviewee ducking for cover as shots ring out.
Officials believe the suspect was Vester Lee, known professionally as Bryce Williams - a disgruntled fellow employee of the WDBJ7 station. He later turned his gun on himself, but survived.
Offering his condolences to those affected by the shooting, the outspoken comedian questioned how defenders of US gun laws would react if the same approach was taken with other lethal weapons such as bombs.
Responding to pro-gun Twitter users who suggested that cars should also be banned according to Gervais’ logic, he hit back and called them “morons”.
He went on: “Some dopey t*** just tweeted “guns aren't the problem. Everyone who isn't a killer should be allowed to have one.” Hahaha. Perfect.”
Read more:
Virginia 'shooter' posts video online of moment he kills two journalists
Profile of shooting victim Alison Parker
Profile of shooting victim Adam Ward
If "guns don't kill people, people do" makes any sense, then you can say the same about bombs. Lets give everyone the right to have bombs.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
Shocked by the insanity of the Virginia shooting. My thoughts are with the loved ones and I hope we will find a solution to this madness.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
"if you ban guns you should ban cars too." - A moron. When cars are made specifically as a weapon and can be concealed in your pocket maybe.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
“@tzx7pk094: or, we could blame the criminal, not the tool used?” Sure. & obviously you'd be mad to let a criminal get a gun easily, right?
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
“@dedios390: so do people their own hands” — Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
My Twitter feed at the moment proves that only the angriest, most unstable people want everyone to have guns.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
"I'd like to buy a gun please" "Are you ever going to kill someone with it?" "No" "Promise?" "No. I mean yes. I promise" "Ok. Here you go"
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
"Not everyone who buys a gun is insane" — Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
I wonder if all these people desperate to own guns because it's their legal right would happily hand them over if the law was changed?
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 26, 2015
Read more:
Touching photo of dead journalists shared rather than footage
Cameraman's fiancee was working in control room on last shift
CNN criticised over decision to show shooting video every hour
The shooting is the latest incident to stoke the intense debate in the US surrounding gun laws.
Following a July shooting at a movie theatre in Lafayette, Louisiana, which left two people dead and nine others wounded, President Barack Obama said the US lacked “common-sense gun-safety laws” but said he felt “frustrated and most stymied” in his attempts to implement reforms, NBC News reported.
Additional reporting by Reuters
