Matthew McConaughey’s emotional plea at the White House following Uvalde massacre
Enough is enough
Matthew McConaughey is using his fame for a good cause. The actor, a native of Uvalde, Texas, made an emotional plea in the White House briefing room on June 7 regarding the need for new gun control legislation in the United States.
McConaughey met with President Biden and a group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill before giving a moving speech about the need for gun reform. The actor told reporters, “We start by making the loss of these lives matter. We start with laws that save innocent lives and don’t infringe on our Second Amendment rights.”
In his plea, Matthew said that the United States needs to move forward to protect society. “These regulations are not a step back. They’re a step forward — for a civil society, and, and the Second Amendment,” he said. McConaughey admitted that gun reform would not solve all of America’s problems with violence, but it should be an issue that all Americans can agree upon.
“Look, is this a cure all? Hell, no. But people are hurting. Families are, parents are. And look, as divided as our country is, this gun responsibility issue is one that we agree on more than we don’t. It really is. Look, this should be a nonpartisan issue.”
The actor explained how the green Converse sneakers that ten-year-old Maite Rodriguez, who passed due to the shooting, were the only way her loved ones could identify her.
McConnaughey told reporters that he had his first experiences with guns while growing up in Uvalde and learned to shoot a BB gun and a 410 shotgun. The actor said that it is time for laws to be passed to keep irresponsible and mentally unsound people from being able to get ahold of guns.
“Responsible gun owners are fed up with the Second Amendment being abused and hijacked by some deranged individuals,” McConnaughey said.
The actor went on to talk about red flag laws, bolstering mental health, background checks, and waiting periods as possible actions that could help avoid tragedies from occurring.
