Neil Breen has clashed with his US correspondent over the need for tighter gun control after a gunman killed 19 children in their school yesterday. 

There has been more than 200 mass shootings in the US this year alone but gun control bills are still likely to stall in the senate.

Republican senators lobbied by the National Rifle Association will filibuster any proposed gun control legislation and Democrats do not have the 60 votes necessary to advance those bills.

“This is despite 90 per cent of the United States population [being] in support of measures,” Neil said.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz yesterday argued gun control “doesn’t work” and restricts “the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens”.

“What about the rights of kids sitting in a classroom?” Neil asked. “What a whacko Ted Cruz is!”

Press PLAY below to hear Neil explain the NRA’s relationship with US politicians 

Neil later argued down his US correspondent Harley Carnes, who suggested education and mental health services would go further than gun control legislation.

“We have every right to have a gun and I don’t have a problem with someone having a rifle,” Harley said.

“I think those teachers should’ve been armed – it would’ve given them a chance.”

But Neil wasn’t convinced, having heard the similar arguments after Australia’s Port Arthur massacre.

“I can get my head around all of those things and the Second Amendment and everything and the forefathers.

“But I can’t get my head around [how] the 18-year-old kid got two assault rifles.”

Press PLAY below to hear the full discussion