Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane responds to Orlando shooting

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 09: Actor Seth MacFarlane onstage during American Film InstituteÂ's 44th Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute show to John Williams at Dolby Theatre on June 9, 2016 in H

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has called for a ban on weapons following the Orlando mass shooting, writing "it's enough to send the even (sic) cheeriest soul into a deep depression".

Following news of the attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida - the largest mass shooting in US history - MacFarlane posted a series of Tweets to his 10 million followers, calling for a ban on "automatic weapons".

"These shootings are a regular occurrence. You don't get to be 'shocked' anymore unless you take action to stop them. Ban automatic weapons," he wrote.

MacFarlane was quick to hit back at Twitter users who disagreed with his comments about banning weapons.

"A plane's primary function is not to kill. Get the difference?" MacFarlane replied to one Twitter user who suggested planes should have been banned after September 11.

When another Twitter user commented that "one person carrying a concealed handgun in that club could've ended that horror", MacFarlane replied: "Often stated, never once happened".

MacFarlane also summarised the solemn tone that took over the social media platform following the tragic news.

"Man. Twitter responses to all this on my feed are enough to send the even (sic) cheeriest soul into a deep depression," he wrote.

Fifty people were killed in the Orlando nightclub after 29-year-old Omar Saddiqui Mateen opened fire with a handgun and an "AR-15" assault rifle.

The attack also left 53 people in hospital, with several others still unidentified or missing.