Florida shooting survivors meet US President Donald Trump

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Image caption, US President Donald Trump shakes hands with student Ariana Klein.

Survivors of a school shooting in Florida, USA, have told President Donald Trump that they want tighter gun controls.

They called on him to make sure that an attack, like that which left 17 people dead on 14 February, does not happen again.

Mr Trump listened to stories from about 40 students, teachers and families from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School during Wednesday's event at the White House in Washington DC.

One of the ideas President Trump put forward was to give guns to teachers.

A staff member with a gun could prevent future shootings and end an attack "very quickly", he said.

Video caption, WATCH: America's gun laws explained

The US president also backed calls for improved background checks on gun buyers.

"We'll be very strong on background checks, very strong emphasis on the mental health of somebody," Mr Trump told the students.

Video caption, Florida shooting survivors on why they want change now

"We want gun reform. We want common sense gun laws," said student Delaney Tarr in Tallahassee, Florida.

It was the first organised protest of an anti-gun movement led by young people since the attack in Parkland, Florida last week.

In other parts of the US, students in Chicago, Illinois; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Phoenix, Arizona walked out of classes in support.