LAS VEGAS (AFP) — LeBron James called for tougher United States gun laws on Wednesday after a shooting at a Las Vegas college campus left three people dead as the Nevada city prepared to host the National Basketball Association's in-season tournament finale.

James, who has been an outspoken advocate for tighter gun control legislation over the years, was speaking after arriving in the gambling hub for the Los Angeles Lakers' semifinal clash with the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.

The 38-year-old superstar spoke to reporters just hours after a gunman killed three people and left one critically injured in a shooting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas earlier Wednesday.

"First of all, my condolences go to the families that lost loved ones, families and friends and everything," James said.

"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 everybody single time it happens, and it just continues to happen."

"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."

"It's ridiculous. The fact that we haven't changed anything — it's actually been easier to be able to own a firearm. It's stupid."

James had frequently waded into the US gun control debate over the years, notably after the 2018 shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California, that left 12 people dead.

James also issued a rallying cry against gun violence and racial injustice at the 2016 ESPY Awards, urging fellow players to educate themselves and help strengthen communities.

"We all have to do better," James said at the time.