Matthew McConaughey has urged Americans to "take a longer and deeper look in the mirror" after the Uvalde shooting

In a lengthy statement, he wrote: "As all of 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 is now 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 and safer nation, state and neighborhood tomorrow?'

"We cannot exhale once again, make excuses and accept these tragic realities as the status quo."

Matthew - who was born near Uvalde, where he spent the first 16 years of his life - urged on "Americans, Texans, mothers and fathers" to "re-evaluate" and "find a common ground", describing the shooting as part of a larger epidemic which "we can control".

He continued: "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".

The 'Dallas Buyers Club' star insisted the time has come for "action" to prevent other parents having to go through such a horrifying moment.

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

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