Matthew McConaughey shares heartbreak over Texas school shooting in his hometown: ‘We are failing to be responsible’

metro.co.uk:

Matthew McConaughey has spoken out following the devastating mass shooting at a school in his hometown of Texas. A gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on Tuesday, shooting dead at least 19 people including children and teachers.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott later identified the suspected gunman as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, who was reportedly a student at Uvalde High School.

McConaughey, who is a proud lifelong Texan, paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy. In a statement shared on social media, the Oscar-winning actor said: ‘As you all are aware there was another mass shooting today, this time in my home town of Uvalde, Texas. ‘Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us.‘This is an epidemic we can control, and whichever side of the aisle we may stand on, we all know we can do better.‘We must do better.’ The Wolf of Wall Street actor, 52, continued: ‘Action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what the parents in Uvalde and the others before them have endured.‘And to those who dropped off their loved ones today not knowing it was goodbye, no words can comprehend or heal your loss, but if prayers can provide comfort, we will keep them coming.’ McConaughey has been outspoken about gun law reform over the years, and said in 2018: ‘At the same time, let’s admit that we have an epidemic in our country right now that we need to fix.

And those of us who are legal and responsible American citizen gun owners, it’s time to join hands. ‘It’s time to get into the arena.