Matthew McConaughey met with leaders on Capitol Hill as lawmakers hold bipartisan discussions on gun reform legislation after a slew of mass shootings.
The visit comes after the actor, a native of Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School last month, argued that legislators should focus on gun “responsibility” rather than gun “control” in an article published Monday in the Austin American-Statesman.
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY CALLS FOR GUN ‘RESPONSIBILITY’ NOT ‘CONTROL’
“Had the chance to meet Uvalde native @McConaughey in DC today to discuss the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary as well as the larger problem of gun violence in America. We, like so many others, agree that gun safety reform is needed — I’ll keep working to make that happen,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) tweeted Monday.
Had the chance to meet Uvalde native @McConaughey in DC today to discuss the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary as well as the larger problem of gun violence in America. We, like so many others, agree that gun safety reform is needed—I’ll keep working to make that happen. pic.twitter.com/ckCAItzwrR
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) June 6, 2022
McConaughey expressed support for raising the minimum age to 21 nationwide to purchase so-called assault weapons, in particular AR-15s, and implementing a national red flag system. He also backs background checks and a national waiting period.
“I want to be clear. I am not under the illusion that these policies will solve all of our problems, but if responsible solutions can stop some of these tragedies from striking another community without destroying the Second Amendment, they’re worth it,” McConaughey wrote. “This is not a choice between guns or no guns. It’s the responsible choice.”
Following the Uvalde shooting, McConaughey visited his hometown to meet with members of the grieving community and some of the family members of the victims.
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Talks of gun reform laws have been led by leaders on both sides, including Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), and Thom Tillis (R-NC). Some of the policies being discussed include expanded background checks, red flag measures, school safety improvements, and more.
