AMERICAN tycoon Donald Trump has been repeatedly labelled ‘a moron’ for suggesting the Paris massacre could have been prevented if guns were more widely available in France.

Trump was attacked on social media after he tweeted that the victims of the shooting at Charlie Hebdo would have had “a fighting chance” if they had guns.

In another tweet moments later he said that it was “interesting” that the tragedy happened in “one of the toughest gun control countries in the world”.

In a final tweet he wrote: “Remember, when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!”

Never a stranger to controversy or to being mocked, Trump’s comments were quickly lambasted with 38 separate Twitter users calling him “a moron” and 44 calling him “stupid”.

Some pointed out how Trump’s arguments were nonsensical given the high murder rates in the US where guns are widely available.

Others were more blunt. A user who identified herself only as HillyFoz wrote: “THEY WERE JOURNALISTS. NOT STUPID GUN TOTING RED NECKS. GO BOIL YOUR WIG.”

If the people so violently shot down in Paris had guns, at least they would have had a fighting chance. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2015

Isn’t it interesting that the tragedy in Paris took place in one of the toughest gun control countries in the world? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2015

Remember, when guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2015

In any case Trump appears to have been misinformed. French gun laws are actually far less restrictive than elsewhere in Europe.

French citizens who obtain a gun license can buy semi-automatic weapons which are banned in other European countries such as the UK.

Brothers suspected in Paris massacre

Trump’s comments came as French police were still hunting two brothers blamed for the horrific shootings at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo that killed 12 people including the editor.

Eighteen-year-old suspect Hamyd Mourad reportedly surrendered to police at 11pm Wednesday evening Paris time. But — according to official sources — police are still hunting for brothers Said Kouachi, 34, and Cherif Kouachi, 32, also suspected of carrying out France’s worst post-war atrocity.