'It's ridiculous': LeBron James slams inaction on gun control in the wake of UNLV shooting

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: NBA star LeBron James addressed the state of gun control in the country in the wake of the mass shooting on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, at noon on December 6. The shooting left three dead and another critically injured.

James was speaking at a news conference at T-Mobile Arena ahead of the inaugural in-season tournament semifinals of December 7, which would see his team Los Angeles Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans.

LeBron James' statement on campus shootout and gun control

Mentioning that his brother texted him to stay safe, James stated, "First of all, my condolences go to the families that lost loved ones, families and friends and everything."

"It just goes back to what I said before about guns in America. I think it's such a longer conversation, but we keep dealing with the same story, this same conversation every single time it happens, and it just continues to happen," he continued.

"The ability to get a gun, the ability to do these things over and over and over, and there's been no change is literally ridiculous. It makes no sense that we continue to lose innocent lives, on campuses, schools, at shopping markets and movie theaters and all type of stuff. It's ridiculous," he added.

"The fact that we haven't changed anything -- it's actually been easier to be able to own a firearm. ... It's stupid," noted the star, who has been a vocal advocate for gun control and reform for years.

NBA statement on UNLV shooting

"The NBA family is heartbroken by today's senseless shooting at UNLV. We extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims, as well as the entire Las Vegas community," read a statement from the league.

A source reportedly told ESPN that the NBA also plans to hold a moment of silence ahead of the semifinal on December 7.

UNLV gunman identified

The suspect in the UNLV shootout has been identified as Anthony Polito, 67, a business studies professor who was denied a job at the Lee Business School in the university on the same day.

He was armed with a pistol and later shot down by local law enforcement officials who responded to the scene, according to the Daily Mail.