President Donald Trump says he's signed a memo directing the Justice Department to propose regulations to "ban all devices" like bump stocks used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

The president is making the announcement to curb the use of the rapid-fire devices during a ceremony recognizing bravery by the nation's public safety officers.

Trump is responding days after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. He's pointing to the need to propose regulations to ban the device that was used in the October shooting deaths of 58 people in Las Vegas.

White House officials say the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

Washington - 20 February 2018

1. President Donald Trump walks into East room and to Podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As we come together to recognize these brave Americans, I know all of us here today and across the entire nation are grieving for the community of Parkland, in the great state of Florida. We're working very hard to make sense of these events."

3. Pan of medal recipients

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And we must do more to protect our children. We have to do more to protect our children. This week, I will be holding a number of discussions with students, local leaders, and law enforcement to develop concrete steps that we can take to secure our schools, safeguard our students and protect our communities. School safety is a top priority for my administration."

5. Wide

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This includes implementing common-sense security measures and addressing mental health issues, including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs. In addition, after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed (the) Attorney General to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas, are illegal under current law. That process began in December and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn into legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized, Jeff, very soon."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump says he's signed a memo directing the Justice Department to propose regulations to "ban all devices" like bump stocks used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

The president is making the announcement to curb the use of the rapid-fire devices during a ceremony recognising bravery by the nation's public safety officers.

Trump is responding days after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. He's pointing to the need to propose regulations to ban the device that was used in the October shooting deaths of 58 people in Las Vegas.

White House officials say the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

Washington - 20 February 2018

1. President Donald Trump walks into East room and to Podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As we come together to recognise these brave Americans, I know all of us here today and across the entire nation are grieving for the community of Parkland, in the great state of Florida. We're working very hard to make sense of these events."

3. Pan of medal recipients

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And we must do more to protect our children. We have to do more to protect our children. This week, I will be holding a number of discussions with students, local leaders, and law enforcement to develop concrete steps that we can take to secure our schools, safeguard our students and protect our communities. School safety is a top priority for my administration."

5. Wide

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This includes implementing common-sense security measures and addressing mental health issues, including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs. In addition, after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed (the) Attorney General to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas, are illegal under current law. That process began in December and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn into legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalised, Jeff, very soon."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump says he's signed a memo directing the Justice Department to propose regulations to "ban all devices" like bump stocks used in last year's Las Vegas massacre.

The president is making the announcement to curb the use of the rapid-fire devices during a ceremony recognizing bravery by the nation's public safety officers.

Trump is responding days after the shooting deaths of 17 people at a Florida high school. He's pointing to the need to propose regulations to ban the device that was used in the October shooting deaths of 58 people in Las Vegas.

White House officials say the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

Washington - 20 February 2018

1. President Donald Trump walks into East room and to Podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"As we come together to recognize these brave Americans, I know all of us here today and across the entire nation are grieving for the community of Parkland, in the great state of Florida. We're working very hard to make sense of these events."

3. Pan of medal recipients

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"And we must do more to protect our children. We have to do more to protect our children. This week, I will be holding a number of discussions with students, local leaders, and law enforcement to develop concrete steps that we can take to secure our schools, safeguard our students and protect our communities. School safety is a top priority for my administration."

5. Wide

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This includes implementing common-sense security measures and addressing mental health issues, including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs. In addition, after the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed (the) Attorney General to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas, are illegal under current law. That process began in December and just a few moments ago I signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn into legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized, Jeff, very soon."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++