Matthew McConaughey appeared visibly unimpressed when questioned about his stance on gun ownership.

The 53-year-old actor recently joined The View to discuss his debut children’s book, Just Because. While initially focusing on the significance of the project as a father of three, the conversation soon shifted to whether he might consider running for political office—a topic he previously explored in 2021.

Matthew McConaughey shuts down anti-gun question

Co-host Sunny Hostin commended McConaughey for being vocal about violence, particularly gun violence, before asking, “In 2021, you considered running for governor of Texas but ultimately chose to prioritize your family. Do you see politics in your future?”

“If I believed that was where I could be most useful, then yes,” he responded. However, he clarified, “Right now, I want to be most useful as a father.”

The atmosphere became tense when Joy Behar followed up with a pointed question: “Do you think you could win in Texas while being anti-gun?”

10th Annual Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala

McConaughey, pointing at Behar, firmly replied, “One thing about me and politics—to give you a direct statement like that would be me playing a game I’m not interested in playing.”

Behar quickly backed off, saying, “Okay, don’t do it.”

After a commercial break, Hostin revisited the moment, acknowledging that McConaughey’s advocacy may have been misrepresented. “I’ve researched your stance, and I don’t believe you’re anti-gun. I see you as pro-gun responsibility and legislation,” she clarified.

Following the tragic school shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas, in June last year, McConaughey urged Americans to reassess their priorities. He wrote on Instagram, “We need to realign our values and find common ground above this devastating American reality that has tragically become a problem for our children. This is an epidemic we can control, and no matter which side of the aisle we stand on, we all know we must do better.”

Shortly after, McConaughey and his wife, Camila Alves, launched the Just Keep Livin Foundation’s Uvalde Relief Fund, which provides grief counseling, covers burial costs, and supports both immediate and long-term community needs.