Holding back his tears with difficulty, Mr Joe Biden in front of 21 white candles, one for each of the victims, the nineteen children and the two teachers who were murdered by an 18-year-old in a school, commemorated yesterday at the White House the anniversary of the massacre committed one year ago in a school in the city of Uvalde, in the state Texas (South), calling for the umpteenth time to tighten gun control in the country.

Accompanied by his wife Jill Biden, the American president spoke about “really hard day” for the families “torn apart” by the massacre. “Remembering is important, it’s also painful”said the US president, known for the solidarity he shows to any grieving family, as he lost two children, a daughter when he was still a baby and a son who was an adult.

He called for “common sense gun laws” to be pushed, particularly to ban AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifles, which are very common in the US.

“Too many areas of everyday life have turned into places of slaughter” in America, the American president complained, also emphasizing in his speech that guns are now the leading cause of death of children in the country.

“Everywhere we hear the same thing: ‘Do something.’ For God’s sake, please do something!'” he insisted.

The appeal Mr. Biden’s campaign, however passionate, has virtually no chance of leading to tangible reforms. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, are hostile to any attempt to tighten gun laws.