(CNN Spanish) — Actor Matthew McConaughey, a native of Uvalde, Texas, arrived at the White House this Tuesday two weeks following the massacre at Robb Elementary School, in which 19 children and two teachers were killed by an 18-year-old gunman. McConaughey spoke of the mourning of the families of those who died in the massacre and called for more action on gun control.
These are some of the most important phrases of the actor.
“How can these families continue to honor these deaths by keeping the dreams of these children and teachers alive? … How can the loss of these lives matter?”
Matthew McConaughey said he and his wife, Camila Alves, spent most of last week accompanying the families of the massacre victims in Uvalde, Texas, their hometown. The actor showed photographs of his art work and brought into the room some green Converse sneakers that one of the victims wore every day and that were key to identifying her body.
He said he needed to tell their stories to show how steps should be taken to honor the lives of those 19 children and two teachers killed at Robb Elementary School last month.
“Do you know what each of these parents wanted, what they asked of us? They want their children’s dreams to live on. They want their children’s dreams to continue, to achieve something following they are gone. They want the loss of life to matter.”
Matthew McConaughey spoke in great detail regarding the children and the dreams they had before they were killed: one wanted to be a marine biologist, another had been preparing to read a Bible verse in church next week, another wanted to go to art school in Paris.
The actor briefly met with President Joe Biden before taking the podium, according to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“As we honor and acknowledge the victims, we must recognize that this time it seems like something is different. There is a sense that maybe there is a viable way forward.”
The actor, whose purpose Tuesday at the White House was to call for action on gun control, said there was now a “window of opportunity” to enact meaningful gun law reform. McConaughey called for universal background checks, raising the minimum age to purchase AR-15s from 18 to 21, a waiting period to purchase an AR-15, and implementation of red flag laws.
“These are reasonable, practical, and tactical regulations for our nation, states, communities, schools, and homes. Responsible gun owners are fed up with the Second Amendment being abused and hijacked by some deranged individuals. These regulations are not a step backwards: they are a step forward for a civil society and the Second Amendment.”
Matthew McConaughey called for more gun control addressing the arguments of those who defend the use and possession of weapons by civilians, saying that while gun control is necessary, the regulations seek to make communities safer and not back down on rights or undermine the Second Amendment.
“Due to exceptionally large exit wounds from an AR-15 rifle, most of the bodies were so mutilated that only DNA testing or a green converse might identify them. Many children were left not only dead but empty.”
The Oscar-winning actor said that “counselors will be needed” in Uvalde for a long time and that the wounds following this tragedy will take time to heal. The actor spoke regarding how Uvalde feels right now: “You can feel the shock in the town. You can feel the pain, the denial, the disappointment, the anger, the guilt, the sadness, the loss of life, the stopped dreams.” .
“No more backlash. No more invalidating the other side. Let’s go to the common table that represents the American people. Let’s find a middle ground, the place where most Americans live anyway. Especially on this issue because I promise you, The United States, you and I, are not as divided as they tell us we are.”
Matthew McConaughey called Republicans and Democrats to action to push for reform. He said that He held meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill earlier Tuesday to discuss gun reform legislation. The actor told reporters on Capitol Hill that he hoped he was making progress in his meetings with lawmakers. He had left a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and was on his way to another meeting with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
While the odds of any sweeping reform remain very high, lawmakers have expressed optimism that agreement on a narrow, targeted bill might be reached as early as the end of this week. Jean-Pierre said Monday that Biden was “encouraged” by the Senate negotiations on gun control measures.
