GENEVA (IINA) – In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in Florida, which left 49 dead and 53 wounded, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein urged the leaders of the United States to consider robust gun control.

“It is hard to find a rational justification that explains the ease with which people can buy firearms, including assault rifles, in spite of prior criminal backgrounds, drug use, histories of domestic violence and mental illness, or direct contact with extremists – both domestic and foreign,” Zeid said in his address to the 31st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

“Irresponsible pro-gun propaganda suggests that firearms make society safer, when all evidence points to the contrary,” he said.

A new UN human rights report on the civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms highlights the “devastating impact” of gun violence on a host of human rights. It states that women and children are frequently found to be victims of firearm-related violence.