LeBron James demands change in America's gun laws with three people killed after suspect went on 40-minute rampage at University of Nevada Las Vegas: 'It's literally ridiculous - it has been EASIER to own a firearm'

LeBron James has called for a change in gun laws after the Lakers star arrived in Las Vegas for the NBA's in-season tournament finals to news of three dead in the University of Nevada shooting.

A suspect went on a 40-minute rampage on Wednesday before also being shot dead by police.

James said: 'My condolences go to the families that lost a loved one. Guns in America, it's such a longer conversation but we are the only ones dealing with this same conversation anytime it happens and it just continues to happen.

'The ability to get a gun, the ability to do these things over and over and over there’s been no change…it’s literally ridiculous. We’re losing innocent lives in schools, shopping markets and movies theaters.

'It's ridiculous and we haven't changed anything. It has actually been a lot easier to own a firearm. It's stupid.

'My brother from back home texted me and told me to be safe out here because he had heard about the shooting.' 

As a result of the shooting on Wednesday, the NBA has scrapped plans for a marquee takeover of the Las Vegas strip with branding of their new in-season tournament.

Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, released a statement saying: 'The Las Vegas Raiders are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at UNLV today.

'Our hearts go out to all the victims, their families and all these affected by this senseless act of violence.

'We are committed to helping our friends at UNLV and the greater Las Vegas community heal and are grateful for the efforts of our first responders.' 

Adam Garcia, the director of university police services, said the first 911 call came in at 11:45am.

'Officers immediately responded and engaged the suspect,' said Garcia.

'The entire Nevada system of higher education and campuses are closed, out of an abundance of caution. There is no threat to other campuses, but they are closed out of an abundance of caution.'

Joe Biden said the shooting - coming the day after six were shot dead in Austin and San Antonio - was 'not normal, and we can never let it become normal.'

Biden said he was saddened that the university 'became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence.'

He thanked the first responders, and said it showed that more must be done to end the epidemic of gun violence.

'This year alone, our nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence. This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal,' he said, in a statement issued by the White House.

'For all the action we have taken since I’ve been President, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more.'

James, meanwhile, is in the city for the NBA's finals of its first ever in-season tournament.

The 38-year-old produced an incredible 31-point display on Tuesday to lead the Lakers to victory against the Phoenix Suns.