Hollywood superstar Matthew McConaughey was on the verge of tears as he visited the White House to talk about the horrific school shooting that took place in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas last month.
The massacre at Robb Elementary School left 21 people dead, including 19 children and two teachers, prompting fresh debate as to the current gun laws in place across the US.
McConaughey, born and raised in Uvalde, urged lawmakers to undertake a meaningful reform of gun legislation yesterday (Tuesday, June 7) at the White House.
The world-famous actor told the stories of those who were lost in the tragedy that unfolded on May 24, having spent most of the past week with the families of the slain.
“You could feel the shock in the town. You could feel the pain, the denial, the disillusion, anger, blame, sadness, loss of lives, dreams halted,” McConaughey said, as per Entertainment Tonight.
The 52-year-old Texan told how he and wife Camila Alves had visited a number of grieving families.
“Due to the exceptionally large exit wounds of an AR-15 rifle, most of the bodies so mutilated that only a DNA test or green Converse could identify them,” McConaughey said.
“Many children were left not only dead but hollow. So, yes, counselors are going to be needed in Uvalde for a long time.”
The True Detective star went on to share a host of stories about those who died, including the tragic tale of Irma and Joe Garcia. The former was a teacher who lost her life at Robb Elementary, the latter her husband, who died of a heart attack in the days following the shooting.
“You know what every one of these parents wanted, what they asked us for? What every parent separately expressed in their own way to Camila and me? That they want their children’s dreams to live on,” McConaughey said.
“That they want their children’s dreams to continue, to accomplish something after they are gone. They want to make their loss of life matter.”
McConaughey used his time to call for decisive action on gun control. Amongst other things, he urged lawmakers to implement universal background checks and asked that the minimum age for purchasing an AR-15 (the rifle used in the school shooting) be raised to 21.
“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. These regulations are not a step back — they’re a step forward for a civil society and, and the Second Amendment,” the actor said.
In the wake of the Robb Elementary School attack, millions have called for a close examination of the current gun laws in place across America. Sadly, however, the massacre that took place at the school is hardly the first of its kind, and it almost certainly won’t be the last unless real action is taken.
“We got to take a sober, humble, and honest look in the mirror and rebrand ourselves based on what we truly value,” McConaughey said at the White House.
“We got to get some real courage and honor our immortal obligations instead of our party affiliations.
“Enough with the counterpunching. Enough of the invalidation of the other side. Let’s come to the common table that represents the American people. Find a middle ground, the place where most of us Americans live anyway. Especially on this issue. Because I promise you, America, you and me, we are not as divided as we are being told we are.”
I don’t know about you, but I think Matthew McConaughey makes perfect sense with all that he is saying.
How many more innocent children need to lose their lives before we get a firm grip on the problem with guns in the US?
¨We said it would change after Columbine. We said it would change after Sandy Hook. We have said it’s going to change any number of times. So why was Robb Elementary even allowed to happen?
Please, share this article if you, like us, want to say rest in peace to the fallen, and if you’re keen to implement new laws that will keep all of us safer.
