Jimmy Kimmel delivered an emotional and politically-charged monologue to an empty studio at the top of Wednesday's episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" following Tuesday's mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
The mass shooting, now the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, left 19 third- and fourth-grade children and two teachers dead.
MORE: Tim McGraw responds to Uvalde tragedy: 'We have a disease that needs recognition'"Here we are again, on another day of mourning in this country," Kimmel, 54, said to the camera in a taped segment that aired ahead of the episode. "Once again, we grieve for the little boys and girls whose lives have been ended and whose families have been destroyed."
The host took issue with those saying "not to politicize" events like this and, saying that most Americans -- on both sides of the political aisle -- support common sense gun control laws.
The country's elected leaders "just aren't listening to us," he said.
"This is not a time for moments of silence, this is a time to be loud and to stay loud, and not stop until we fix this," Kimmel said.
"Some people say this is a mental health problem. Others say it's a gun problem," he continued. "It is both, and it can be both. So let's work on both of those."
MORE: Matthew McConaughey shares message calling for action following Texas school shootingKimmel noted that all Americans -- "doesn't matter what party we vote for" -- care about protecting children and keeping guns out of the hands of those who intend to do harm with them.
"There have been 27 school shootings so far this year in this country, and it’s May. How does this make sense to anyone?" he said. "These are our children."
