Uvalde shooting survivor, 11, describes massacre to US Congress

Impassioned family members, victims and firearms advocates appear before politicians, who continue to bicker over bipartisan deal on gun-control laws

Miguel Cerrillo, father of Miah Cerrillo, a grade four pupil at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, wipes away tears as he speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington. EPA

Miah, who survived the mass shooting, appears on a screen during the hearing. The New York Times / AP

Felix and Kimberly Rubio, parents of Lexi Rubio, 10, a victim of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, speak before the committee. The New York Times / AP

Congressman Pete Aguilar speaks with reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence following the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. AP

Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Lucy McBath talk to reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence. AP

Ms McBath's son, Jordan, was killed by gun violence in 2012. AP

Activists rally in Washington outside the US Capitol demanding action from Congress. AFP

Activists hold up a sign outside the US Capitol. AP

Representative Carolyn Maloney speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters

Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters

Activists protest near Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the March for Our Lives demonstration, which will take place on Saturday. AFP

Gun control activists hold up signs in Washington. AFP

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia speaks during the hearing. EPA

National Education Association President Becky Pringle speaks during the hearing on gun violence. EPA

Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, speaks before the committee. Reuters

Activists rally against gun violence on Wednesday in Washington. AFP

Activists wear orange, a colour representing gun violence in the US. AFP

New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before the committee. EPA

Dr Roy Guerrero, a paediatrician from Uvalde, Texas, speaks before the committee. The New York Times / AP

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, second row right, listens to survivors of gun violence. EPA

Zeneta Everhart, mother of Zaire Goodman, who was injured in the Buffalo, New York, shooting, said that her son's leg is riddled with shrapnel. EPA

Representative Robin Kelly tears up during the hearing on gun violence. EPA

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of many who became emotional during the hearing. EPA

Lucretia Hughes, of DC Project - Women for Gun Rights, becomes emotional during the hearing. AP

Republicans Jim Jordan and James Comer confer during the hearing. Reuters

Gabby Giffords, a former Democratic US representative, speaks during the opening of the Gun Violence Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday. Ms Giffords was shot at a political rally in Tucson, Arizona, in 2011. AFP

The 11-year-old school pupil who survived the Uvalde mass shooting that killed 19 children and two teachers has recounted the horror she faced before US Congress as politicians try to find a compromise over gun-control legislation.

Miah Cerrillo said she is scared that gun violence could break out at her school again.

"[The gunman] told my teacher 'goodnight' and shot her in the head," Ms Cerrillo said in pre-recorded testimony.

"And then he shot some of my classmates and the white board.

"He shot my friend that was next to me ... and I thought he was going to come back to the room. I got the blood and put it all on me."

The killings at Robb Elementary School last month were part of a string of mass shootings in the US that has prompted bipartisan talks, though a deeply divided Senate will likely prevent any sweeping gun-control measures proposed by President Joe Biden.

A bipartisan group of senators is negotiating more modest proposals, including a "red flag" law that would keep firearms away from people who could do harm.

The parents of Lexi Rubio, one of the students killed, called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines but were less than hopeful that politicians would take any such actions.

Kimberly Rubio said: "We understand that for some reason, for some people — people with money to people who fund political campaigns — that guns are more important than children."

The parents also called on Congress to raise the age to buy weapons to 21, enact stronger background checks and cease firearms manufacturers' liability.

Republicans have long opposed proposals that would limit the sale of assault-style weapons, the type of firearm used in Uvalde and at a Buffalo supermarket in New York that killed 10 people in a racially inspired attack.

The mother of a survivor of the Buffalo shooting told Congress of how she felt the shrapnel inside her son while cleaning his wounds.

"Shrapnel will be left inside of his body for the rest of his life," said Zeneta Everhart, the mother of Zaire Goodman. "Now I want you to picture that exact scenario for one of your children.

"As an elected official it is your duty to draft legislation that protects right here and all of the children and citizens in this country. Common-sense gun laws are not about your personal feelings or beliefs."

Democrats have indicated that Republicans would be willing to support narrow gun legislation focusing on "red flag" laws, bolstering school security and providing greater access to mental health services.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he would give negotiators more time to strike a deal before putting up a vote on a sweeping Democratic-led bill.