US president Barack Obama says the United States should follow Australia's example in a bid to stop mass shootings.

Speaking at the White House, the president said the rate of mass shootings in the US is "off that charts" in a way that no other advanced country would tolerate.

"We're the only society, we're the only developed country on earth where this happens," he said.

"It happens now once a week and it's a one day story. There's no place else like this."

Mr Obama says members of Congress are terrified by the power of the National Rifle Association and nothing will change until public opinion demands reform.

He praised the efforts of Australia in reducing gun crime following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in which 35 people died.

"A couple of decades ago Australia had a mass shooting similar to Columbine or Newtown," Mr Obama said.

"And Australia just said, 'well, that's it ... we're not seeing that again' and basically imposed very severe, tough gun laws and they haven't had a mass shooting since."

Mr Obama's comments came hours after a gunman walked into the gym of a high school in Oregon and shot dead a student before taking his own life.

It was the third shooting in a public place is as many weeks.