Emotional US president Barack Obama unveiled his plans to curb gun violence on Wednesday (AEST) as the world looked on.

Wiping away tears during a White House press conference, the president said he would personally issue executive orders to departments under his control rather than continue to push for tougher laws through congress.

“Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad,” said Mr Obama of the Sandy Hook primary school victims of 2012.

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After the president’s passionate plea, celebrities took to Twitter to throw their support behind the campaign, using the hashtag #StopGunViolence.

Comedian and actress Amy Schumer, who was present at the White House for the announcement, affirmed her anti-gun views to her three million followers.

“We can’t stop, cause we won’t stop,” posted Schumer, as well as a separate image of herself in the White House with the caption “At the dub house to #StopGunViolence”.

It’s not the first time the Hollywood star has thrown her weight behind the cause, speaking at a rally hosted by her cousin, Senator Chuck Schumer in October.

“Gun violence is ripping apart America; it’s ripping apart our families,” she told the crowd.

Schumer wasn’t the only celebrity to jump on the hashtag, with actress Melissa Joan Heart, musician/producer Questlove and entrepreneur Russell Simmons also lending their considerable voices to the campaign.

“Thank you @POTUS for taking these steps to make us ALL safer,” wrote Scandal actress Kerry Washington.

Obama’s latest anti-gun strategy will involve closing the loopholes to background checks, using the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which take direct orders from the president himself.

The president also took a swipe at the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA), criticising it for lying to the American public.

“All of us need to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies,” he said.

At the dub house to #StopGunViolence with 2 Wizards and a @Wale pic.twitter.com/leCsICH04d

— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) January 5, 2016

It’s a good day!! #chooselove Today @POTUS took historic action to help #StopGunViolence. Say you’re with him: https://t.co/gBpelmKeVy

— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) January 5, 2016

In light of all that was experienced in 2015 #StopGunViolence shouldn’t even be a question amongst US citizens. Been saying this since 88! — Questlove Gomez (@questlove) January 5, 2016