Bush 'horrified' by shootings

President Bush was described today as "shocked and saddened" by the mass shooting at Virginia Tech, the deadliest incident of campus violence ever seen in the US.

"He was horrified and his immediate reaction was one of deep concern for the families of the victims, the victims themselves, the students, the professors and all the people of Virginia who have dealt with this shocking incident," White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said, adding: "His thoughts and prayers are with them."

She said the president "believes that there is a right for people to bear arms, but that all laws must be followed", noting that Mr Bush and education secretary Margaret Spellings held a conference on school gun violence last October.

"Certainly, bringing a gun into a school dormitory and shooting ... is against the law and something someone should be held accountable for," Ms Perino said.

She said that federal assistance is available if Virginia authorities request help, adding it was premature to discuss whether Mr Bush would travel to the Blacksburg area.