Matthew McConaughey Urges Americans to Act After Tragic School Shooting in His Texas Hometown

After the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, Matthew McConaughey is calling on all Americans to “do better.”

McConaughey, who grew up in Uvalde, shared a message on social media following the deaths of 19 children and two teachers. According to NPR, this marks the 27th school shooting to take place this year. “Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us,” the 52-year-old father of three wrote on May 24. “The true call to action now is for every American to take a longer and deeper look in the mirror, and ask ourselves, ‘What is it that we truly value? How do we repair the problem? What small sacrifices can we individually take today, to preserve a healthier and safer nation, state, and neighborhood tomorrow?’”

McConaughey continued, “We cannot exhale once again, make excuses, and accept these tragic realities as the status quo.”

The Wolf of Wall Street actor has previously spoken out about our country’s lack of gun control laws at a March for Our Lives rally following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 students and staff members dead in 2018.

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In his post, McConaughey went on to write that gun violence is an “epidemic we can control,” regardless of one’s political party, and that it’s time to “do better.” He added, “Action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what the parents in Uvalde and the others before them have endured.”

You can read Matthew McConaughey’s full statement, below:

As you are aware there was another mass shooting today, this time in my hometown of Uvalde, Texas. Once again, we have tragically proven that we are failing to be responsible for the rights our freedoms grant us.

The true call to action now is for every American to take a longer and deeper look in the mirror and ask ourselves, ‘What is it that we truly value? How do we repair the problem? What small sacrifices can we individually take today to preserve a healthier and safer nation, state, and neighborhood tomorrow?’ We cannot exhale once again, make excuses, and accept these tragic realities as the status quo.

As Americans, Texans, mothers and fathers, it’s time we re-evaluate, and renegotiate our wants from our needs. We have to rearrange our values and find a common ground above this devastating American reality that has tragically become our children’s issue.

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. Action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what parents in Uvalde and the others before them have endured.

And to those who dropped off their loved ones today not knowing that was goodbye, no words can comprehend or heal your loss, but if prayers can provide comfort, we will keep them coming.