After Tuesday's shooting attack at a Texas elementary school, President Joe Biden made an emotional plea for more restrictions on firearms.

Biden spoke at the White House shortly after returning to America from a five day trip to Asia, which was marred by tragedy.

Biden said, "I am sick, tired." With Jill Biden, first lady, standing beside him in the Roosevelt Room. We must act.

According to a state senator, at least 18 students were murdered. He claimed that he was briefed both by law enforcement and a teacher.

Biden met with the families of victims just two days before he left for his trip.

These tragedies were a sobering reminder of the brutality and frequency of an American epidemic in mass gun violence.

Biden stated that mass shootings like this are rare elsewhere in the world. "Why?"

In honor of the Texas victims, he directed that American flags should be flown at half-staff from sunset Saturday to honor him.

Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, stated earlier that people usually declare in moments such as these, "our hearts fail -- but our hearts continue to get broken...and our broken hearts are nothing when compared with the broken hearts and families."

She stated, "We must have the courage and will to act... to make sure that something like this does not happen again."

Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, stated that Biden was briefed by Jen O'Malley Dillon, deputy chief of staff and other senior members of Air Force One's senior team about the shooting.

Biden met with Texas Governor shortly before landing in Washington. Greg Abbott was able to tweet from his presidential plane, "to offer any assistance he requires in the aftermath of the horrific shooting at Uvalde in Texas," White House communications director Kate Bedingfield wrote.