Horror everywhere: The Texas-born actor Matthew McConaughey speaks of an epidemic in connection with gun violence in the USA.
After the massacre at an elementary school in his Texas hometown of Uvalde, Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey (52) called for more action in the fight against gun violence.
“This is an epidemic that we can manage and regardless of which partisan side we are on, we all know we can do better. We have to do better,” wrote the 2014 Oscar winner (“Dallas Buyers Club”) on Twitter late Tuesday evening. Measures must be taken so that no one has to experience what the parents in Uvalde and other relatives went through before.
According to the police, an 18-year-old attacker opened fire on Tuesday afternoon in the primary school in the small town of Uvalde. According to US media, at least 19 children and two adults were killed. The shooter was killed by officers.
“Once again, we have tragically demonstrated our failure to act responsibly with the rights that grant us our freedoms,” McConaughey wrote. Compared to Europe, gun laws in the US are generally very lax. Proponents cite the Second Amendment, passed in 1791, which they believe allows Americans to bear arms. Initiatives to tighten gun laws at federal level have so far failed.
Now is the time for every American to ask themselves, “What is it that we really value? How can we fix the problem?” the US actor demanded. “We cannot exhale again, resort to excuses and accept this tragic reality as the status quo.”
Born and raised in Texas, McConaughey first discussed running for governor in his home state last year. However, he canceled a few months later.
