Trump defends US gun laws by branding London a knife crime war zone

May 05, 2018 20:55

US President Donald Trump opened up a new controversy as he defended American gun laws by contrasting them with London's stringent anti-gun legislation, claiming it resulted in one of the British capital's hospitals turning into a war zone due to a rise in knife crime instead.

In a speech to the National Rifle Association in Dallas, Texas, yesterday in which he spoke out in favour of liberal gun laws, the US president sarcastically questioned whether vans, trucks and cars, which have been used as weapons by terrorists, should also be banned before turning to knives.

I recently read a story that in London, which has unbelievably tough gun laws, a once very prestigious hospital, right in the middle, is like a war zone for horrible stabbing wounds, Trump said.

Yes, that's right, they don't have guns, they have knives and instead there's blood all over the floors of this hospital. They say it's as bad as a military war zone hospital, he added.

He then went on to make a stabbing gesture in the air several times and muttered, Knives, knives, knives".

Trump is due to visit the UK on July 13, after previously cancelling a trip amid calls for mass protests on the streets of Britain.

His latest comments also triggered a strong reaction, with London trauma surgeon Dr Martin Griffiths offering to give Trump a tour of his prestigious Royal London Hospital.

It is believed Trump was referencing a comment made by Dr Griffiths during a BBC Radio interview earlier this year.

-- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Cummins hails Bhuvi's last-ball heroics

Defending 12 in the final over, Bhuvneshwar trapped Rovman Powell in front of the wicket in the last ball to stop Rajasthan Royal's run chase at 200 for 7 and pull off a heist in the end.

'Game never done till it's done': Samson rues loss

Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson said that even while it seemed his side was cruising to victory he was not certain they would get over the line given the unpredictable nature of the league.

In Pictures - SRH seal dramatic win, edge past RR by 1 run

IMAGES from the IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals played in Hyderabad on Thursday

An accused in Salman home firing dies by suicide, magisterial probe launched

The probe initiated by the judicial magistrate is being carried out under section 176 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and all related documents have been submitted, a police official said.

Rising cricketer Baker passes away at 20

Worcestershire County Cricket Club is devastated by the sudden passing of their talented left-arm spinner, Josh Baker