Matthew McConaughey calls for gun control in emotional speech | Gun Violence News
McConaughey, who was born in Uvalde, called for ‘responsible’ gun ownership following the mass shooting at the town’s primary school.
Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey appeared at the White House to urge Congress to “get a higher level” and pass gun control legislation in honor of the children and teachers killed in the last month. shoot mad at an elementary school in his hometown of Uvalde in Texas.
In a highly personal 22-minute speech on Tuesday, McConaughey used his star power to argue forcefully for the law, vividly detailing the deaths of 19 children children and two teachers in the second-worst mass shooting in US history.
McConaughey, a gun owner, has called on Congress to increase background checks for gun purchases and raise the minimum age to buy an AR-15-style rifle from 18 to 21.
“We want schools that are safe and secure, and we want gun laws that don’t make it easy for bad guys to get damn guns,” McConaughey said.
The actor, who earlier this year considered running for governor of Texas before changing his mind, met with President Joe Biden privately before speaking to the White House press team.
McConaughey also met with key lawmakers this week, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerThe chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee that handles gun legislation, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, and Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa rank the panel.
McConaughey, who declined to answer questions, spoke of his own connection to the town. He said his mother teaches preschool children less than a mile from Uvalde’s Robb elementary school, where the May 24 shooting took place. He also notes that Uvalde is where he was taught about the responsibilities that come with owning a gun.
“Uvalde is where I was taught to respect the power and capabilities of the tool we call a gun,” he said.
‘People are getting hurt’
McConaughey said he and his wife drove back to Uvalde the day after the shooting and spent time with the families of some of the victims and others directly affected by the riots.
He said every parent he spoke to expressed “they want to” children’s dream live on”.
“They want to make their lives disappear,” McConaughey said.
He recounts the personal stories of some of the victims.
He tells the story of 10-year-old Maite Rodriguez, an aspiring marine biologist. McConaughey’s wife, Camila, sat nearby, holding Maite’s green Converse shoes, with red hearts on the right toe showing her love of nature.
“Here’s the green Converse that, on her feet, turned out to be the only definitive evidence that could identify her after the shooting,” McConaughey said, voice cracking.
He picked up the artworks of Alithia Ramirez, who had dreamed of going to art school in Paris. And then there was Eliahna “Ellie” Garcia, who loved dancing and church and already knew how to drive a tractor. Ellie was looking forward to reading a Bible verse at an upcoming church service when she was killed.
McConaughey acknowledged that gun legislation would not end mass shootings but suggested that steps could be taken to reduce the risk of such tragedies happening on a regular basis.
“We need to invest in mental health care. We need safer schools. We need to limit sensationalism in the media. We need to restore our family values. We need to restore our American values and we need responsible gun ownership,” McConaughey said.
“Is this a cure? No, but people are getting hurt. “
