Matthew McConaughey is worried that gun control efforts will be “hijacked” by those who would prefer a gun ban.
While promoting his upcoming film White Boy Rick at the CinemaCon theatre-owners convention in Las Vegas, McConaughey repeated his support for the student-led March for Our Lives movement, but voiced concern that the drive for change could go too far.
McConaughey and his friends were respectful and responsible gun owners when they were growing up, he said.
“I also fear that [March for Our Lives] — they have to watch that they don’t get hijacked,” McConaughey said.
“Meaning, a lot of the crowd was for no guns at all. That was not the march for life. March for Our Lives was for rightful, just, responsible gun ownership — but against assault rifles, against unlimited magazines and for following up on the regulations,” he continued.
McConaughey urged individuals on both sides of the gun-control divide to get together and find compromise.
Last month, the Dallas Buyers Club actor spoke at the March for Our Lives protest in Austin, Texas. He was clear that the march was not meant to support stripping rights of law-abiding American citizens.
“At the same time, let’s admit that we have an epidemic in our country right now that we need to fix,” McConaughey said. “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. It’s time to step up to the line and help heal our country.”
In White Boy Rick, about a teenage informant and drug dealer who ultimately is imprisoned, McConaughey plays the teen’s father.
