Matthew McConaughey said mass shootings across America “are an epidemic we can control” as he paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy in his Texas hometown.
“Whatever edge we stand on, we all know we can do better,” he said in a statement online.
James Corden, Taylor Swift, Amy Schumer and Chris Evans were also among famous faces expressing “anger and grief” in the wake of Tuesday’s torture.
At least 19 children and two adults have been killed in a shooting by a teenage gunman at Rob Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
The shooting at a US elementary school is the deadliest since the infamous Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, which killed 20 children and six adults nearly a decade ago.
“As you all know there was another mass shooting today, this time in my hometown of Uvalde, Texas,” McConaughey said.
“Once again, we have sadly proved that we are failing to be responsible for the rights that our freedoms provide us.
“This is a pandemic that we can control, and whatever side of the aisle we stand on, we all know we can do better.
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“We must do better.
“Action must be taken so that no parent has to experience what the parents and others before them have gone through in Uvalde.
“And to those who left their loved ones today, knowing it was not a goodbye, no words can understand or heal your loss, but if prayer can provide comfort, we will keep them coming. “
Addressing the shooting in a monologue on The Late Late Show, Corden said that on the issue of gun laws, America is “one of the most backward places in the world.”
“When I dropped my kids off school this morning and kissed them goodbye, it didn’t come to your mind that this might be the last goodbye,” he said.
“And to think about that phone call, that your child is the victim of a mass shooting, is incomprehensible as a human being.”
Pop megastar Swift shared a video of Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr delivering an emotional message at a press conference ahead of the NBA Western Conference Finals.
Full of fury and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. by Buffalo, Laguna Woods and many others. Along the way we, as a nation, have become accustomed to unfathomable and unbearable heartbreak. Steve’s words are so true and so deep cut. https://t.co/Rb5uwSTxty
— taylor swift (@taylorswift13) 25 May 2022
“Full of anger and grief, and broken by the killings in Uvalde,” he wrote in a tweet.
“Buffalo, Laguna Woods and many others. Along the way we, as a nation, have become accustomed to bottomless and unbearable heartbreak.
“Steve’s words are so true and so deep-cut.”
Oscar co-host Schumer said: “We are saddened by the Uvalde community, a predominantly Latinx community, and everyone else affected by yet another senseless act of violence in our schools.
“This is yet another sad example of how widespread this public health crisis is in our country.”
Captain America Star Evans wrote in all capitals: “F****** enough!”
His fellow Marvel superhero Simu Liu called for “accountability”.
“Heartbroken for the families, friends and classmates of Robb Elementary School,” he said.
“My deepest condolences are with those affected, and my heart longs for accountability.
“A system that allows multiple mass shootings like this just needs to change. The time has come to demand action.”
Heartbroken to the families, friends and classmates of Robb Elementary School. My deepest condolences are with those affected, and my heart longs for accountability.
A system that allows for multiple mass shootings for this would simply have to change. The time has come to demand action.
— Simu Liu (刘思慕) (@SimuLiu) 25 May 2022
British actor Jason Isaacs asked: “When will the right to bear arms be balanced against the right to be free from the fear of being slaughtered by weapons?”
Oscar-winning producer Phineas also expressed anger, writing: “Anyone saying ‘now is not the time to talk about gun control’ doesn’t care that kids are murdered today.”
Other celebrities who expressed their shock and horror included Kylie Jenner, George Takei and Jake Paul.
Posting to her Instagram story, reality star Jenner, who recently gave birth to her second child with rapper Travis Scott, said: “Another school shooting. destructive.
If we want to change things, we must demand it from our leaders.
— George Takei (@George Takei) 24 May 2022
“My heart breaks for these families.”
Veteran Star Trek actor Takei said: “There are no words. And there is never any action.
“If we want to change things, we must demand it from our leaders.”
Poet Amanda Gorman, who rose to fame after reading one at the inauguration ceremony of US President Joe Biden in January 2021, wrote a poem and posted it on social media.
It read: “Schools are scared to death.
“The truth is, an education fell down under the desk, from bullets; He drowns when we ask.
“Where will our children live and if.”
Sharing a link to gun violence charity Everytown, Gorman captioned his post: “Americans- you know enough.
“If anything you do today, let it act, not just to grieve.”
