Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered across the US to demand stricter gun laws, following two mass shooting attacks that left 31 people dead.

Those who took part held placards reading “I want freedom from shooting”.

US President Joe Biden backed the protests, calling on Congress to “pass legislation on the safety of common sense weapons.”

Despite this the chances for legal change are likely to be overturned by Republicans.

19 children and two adults were killed in the May 24 shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas.

That attack, and another day earlier in Buffalo, New York, in which 10 people were killed, has led to new calls for action on gun control in the US.

On Saturday, the gun safety group March For Our Lives – founded by shooting survivors at Parkland 2018 School in Florida – said about 450 rallies would be held across the country, including Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.