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Actor McConaughey, relatives of victims urge lawmakers to act -Breaking

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© Reuters. Garnell Whitfield addresses U.S. reporters after his mother Ruth Whitfield died in the massacre at Buffalo’s Tops Market. Following a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on the Threat of Domesticity, Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D–IL), Whitfield addresses reporters.

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Richard Cowan, Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Actor Matthew McConaughey, a lawmaker and victim of shootings, spoke out Tuesday in Washington for tougher gun laws. There are signs that Congress is moving on this issue which has stalled Congress over the years.

Senate Democrats stated that they welcome the U.S. Senate’s ongoing discussions with Republicans. According to the White House, President Joe Biden wanted some legislation to be passed. This is despite not being able to reach a compromise on his request to ban assault rifles as Congress considers federal gun legislation, after more than 10 years of non-action.

After a series of mass shootings across the country including one at Uvalde in Texas on May 24, where two teachers and 19 students were killed, there has been a renewed effort to combat gun violence.

Oscar-winning actor McConaughey from Uvalde met Biden at White House. There, he delivered an emotion-filled plea for change. Karine Jean-Pierre introduced Biden as a gun owner.

“…Make these children’s deaths matter”, McConaughey said as he showed photos of child victims and the sneakers that identified a 10-year old girl.

He said, “While we acknowledge and honor the victims we must also recognize that this is a different time.” “Responsible participants in this discussion seem at least to be open to having real conversations about a better path.

Garnell Whitfield (ex-Buffalo Fire Commissioner), whose mother Ruth was shot and killed during the Tops Friendly Markets attack on Blacks that claimed 10 lives, advised senators to stand aside if it wasn’t possible.

“We are not only hurt. We’re angry. At a Capitol Hill press conference, he stated that they were mad as hell. My mother’s life was important. “Your actions will show us that it’s important to you to do something about this today.”

In a speech last week from the White House, Biden declared, “Enough is enough!” Biden urged Congress to prohibit assault weapons and expand background checks, as well as implement gun control measures.

However, such moves don’t have wide support in Senate. The Senate is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. While Democrats favor tighter gun laws in general, Republicans tend to be more open-minded about the Constitution’s protection of the right for bear arms.

Biden met on Tuesday with Senator Chris Murphy who was leading discussions with his fellow senators.

We still have work in the Senate. After speaking to Biden, Murphy said that he was grateful for the White House’s support. Murphy stated that he was determined to reach a settlement this week.

The senators have considered modest ideas, such as encouraging states to pass “red flag” laws depriving people of firearms if they are deemed dangerous to their safety; improving school security and mental health services.

Gabby Giffords (ex-Representative of the United States) said that stopping gun violence requires courage at the dedication of a temporary memorial to victims of gun violence on the National Mall.

It is time for us to get together. Be responsible – Democrats, Republicans, everyone. Fighting must not be stopped. She encouraged us to be bold and courageous.”

This year, gun violence in the United States has caused thousands of deaths.

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