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Trump caught with 'cheat sheet' while speaking to shooting survivors

US President Donald Trump has been photographed with a "cheat sheet" while speaking with the survivors and families of victims from gun violence.

Trump held the meeting with parents, teachers and students at the White House a week on from the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, Florida, which saw 17 people killed.

Pictures from the event show the president holding a White House pamphlet with notes scribbled on it in black ink.

Five points can be seen, and they appear to be advice on what Trump should say.

US President Donald Trump holds notes while speaking with victims of gun violence at the White House. Source: AAP
US President Donald Trump holds notes while speaking with victims of gun violence at the White House. Source: AAP

The first one reads, "What would you want me to know about your experience?" while the second reads, "What can we do to help you feel safe?"

The second and third are obscured by his hand, but the fourth reads, "resources? Ideas?"

"I hear you," the fifth point reads.

It's not known if the US President wrote the notes himself, but regardless, he's been condemned for carrying them with people on Twitter saying Trump "has to be coached on appearing concerned and sympathetic".

A close up of Trump's notes. Source: AAP
A close up of Trump's notes. Source: AAP

One Twitter user said Trump, "has to write down what does not come naturally, empathy".

"What a pathetic excuse for a President we have. You need NOTES to sit and talk about a school shooting? I love that we now have this picture FOREVER to remind inept Trump that he needs to get educated," another tweeted.

Another coined the hashtag: "CliffNotesOfEmpathy".

Some were supportive of Trump though. One user said while he isn't a supporter of the US President, "there's nothing wrong with having notes prepared for a meeting".

"So, what? I have notes when I speak to my co-workers or teach. Sometimes I put notes on my Android phone, but nothing beats good old pen and paper for quick notes, changes, and help focusing on important facts. Lay off @realDonaldTrump," another tweeted.

Trump is yet to make a statement on the notes.

'Arm teachers with guns': Trump

The Republican president suggested arming teachers could help prevent massacres like last week's mass shooting, voicing support for an idea backed by the National Rifle Association gun rights group.

Trump made the comment during an emotional hour-long White House meeting with students who survived the Florida shooting and a parent whose child did not. Hundreds of students joined scattered protests across the country on Wednesday, including in Washington, Chicago and Pittsburgh.

The US President, who has championed gun rights and was endorsed by the NRA during the 2016 campaign, said he would move quickly to tighten background checks for gun buyers and would consider raising the age for buying certain types of guns.

He spoke at length about how armed teachers and security guards could frighten off potential school shooters and prevent student deaths.

"If you had a teacher ... who was adept at firearms, it could very well end the attack very quickly," Trump said.

The aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman High School shooting. Source: AAP
The aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman High School shooting. Source: AAP

The US Constitution protects the right of Americans to bear arms, a right fiercely defended by Republicans. But Trump has been under pressure to act.

Some of the participants at the meeting indicated support for Trump's idea of arming teachers. Others were opposed.

Mark Barden, whose son was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, said his wife, Jackie, a teacher, "will tell you that school teachers have more than enough responsibilities right now than to have to have the awesome responsibility of lethal force to take a life.

"Nobody wants to see a shootout in a school," Mr Barden said.

After the Sandy Hook shooting, a task force backed by the NRA recommended more armed guards and teachers in schools.

Trump listened intently to ideas from about 40 people, including those from six students who survived the Florida shooting.

"I don't understand why I can still go in a store and buy a weapon of war, an AR," 18-year-old Sam Zeif said sobbing after he described texting his family members during the attack.

"Let's never let this happen again, please, please."

Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow Pollack, 18, was killed, shouted: "It should have been one school shooting and we should have fixed it. And I'm pissed - because my daughter - I'm not going to see again."