President Barack Obama has promised to tackle gun violence in America in light of the Colorado shooting at the screening of the new Batman film, where a man shot and killed 12 people. He vowed to work with all political groups and organisations to come to 'a consensus' on how to reduce gun violence.

According to Colorado officials, gun sales have surged by 43.5% and - in the last week alone - there've been 300 more requests for background checks on people who want to buy guns.

On Monday President Obama visited some of the 58 survivors of the shooting, spending time comforting those who'd lost loved ones and listening to stories of others who'd tried to protect their friends. James Holmes burst into a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie in Aurora last week, dressed as the character spraying the cinema with bullets. Murder charges against him will be filed on Monday.

MrObama told an audience in Louisiana that he still believes in an American's right to bear arms, and in the 'cherished national heritage' of hunting and shooting. He said: "… I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals. That they belong on the battlefield of war, not on the streets of our cities. I believe the majority of gun owners would agree that we should do everything possible to prevent criminals and fugitives from purchasing weapons. We should check someone's criminal record before they can check out a gun sell. That a mentally unbalanced person should not be able to get his hands on a gun so easily. These steps shouldn't be controversial, they should be common sense."

Meanwhile the first funeral for the oldest victim of the shooting has been held. Friends and family of 51-year-old Gordon Cowden gathered to remember him, as well as the Colorado Governor and the Mayor and Police Chief of Aurora.