Actor Matthew McConaughey made an appearance during a White House press briefing, calling for “responsible gun ownership.”
On Tuesday, McConaughey delivered remarks during the press briefing on the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and gun laws.
“We need to invest in mental healthcare. We need safer schools. We need to restrain sensationalized media coverage. We need to restore our family values,” McConaughey said.
He continued, “We need to restore our American values. And we need responsible gun ownership.”
The actor argued, “We need background checks. We need to raise the minimum age to purchase an AR-15 rifle to 21. We need a waiting period for those rifles. We need red flag laws and consequences for those who abuse them.”
He added, “These are reasonable, practical, tactical, regulations to our nation, states, communities, schools, and homes. Responsible gun owners are fed up with the Second Amendment being abused and hijacked by some deranged individuals.”
Check out part of the briefing below:
Matthew McConaughey: "We need to invest in mental healthcare. We need safer schools. We need to restrain sensationalized media coverage. We need to restore our family values. We need to restore our American values. And we need responsible gun ownership." pic.twitter.com/FKIbpUVVSW
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) June 7, 2022
After a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and two adults, McConaughey visited with families and community members.
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales tweeted a photo of McConaughey with community members.
“This week was a solemn reminder that evil exists in the world, but we will never let it break us. We’ll unite to be an even more powerful reminder that love never fails and together we can change things,” Gonzalez tweeted.
He added, “Appreciate Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey helping us heal.”
This week was a solemn reminder that evil exists in the world, but we will never let it break us. We’ll unite to be an even more powerful reminder that love never fails & together we can change things.
— Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) May 27, 2022
Appreciate Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey helping us heal. #UvaldeUnited pic.twitter.com/2LwZPbuVNX
McConaughey issued a statement following the shooting, saying the country is “failing to be responsible for the rights our freedom grant us.”
He explained, “This is an epidemic we can control, and whichever side of the aisle we may stand on, we all know we can do better.”
Uvalde, Texas, USA. pic.twitter.com/0iULRGtREm
— Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) May 25, 2022
His statement continues, “Action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what the parents in Uvalde and the others before them have endured.”
Additionally, McConaughey met with lawmakers Monday night amid discussions on gun control.