Biden vows to tackle gun violence after NY massacre

United States Vice President Joe Biden says a new approach must be taken to deal with senseless gun violence after the shooting deaths of 14 people in New York state.

A 42-year-old gunman is believed to have shot 13 people and himself in a premeditated attack at an American Civic Association building in Binghamton, about 290 kilometres north-west of New York City.

The gunman, reported by media outlets to be of Vietnamese origin, had barricaded a car against the back door of the citizenship centre to prevent escape.

Police are still trying to identify the gunman.

He then entered the front of the building and opened fire.

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It is the second shooting attack in the US this week, after a gunman killed six people in a nursing home in North Carolina on Sunday.

It also comes after 10 people were killed in a shooting rampage by a gunman in Alabama last month.

Mr Biden says the gunman opened fire on immigrants taking a citizenship class.

“I think it’s time that we have got to think of a way to deal with this senseless, senseless violence,” he said.

He says his thoughts are with the victims.

“I’d ask you to keep all those folks in your prayers and it’s a prayer for community,” he said.