TEXAS — In the wake of mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, a group of bipartisan senators this past weekend reached a gun safety framework. While critics say it doesn’t go far enough to address the issue, most acknowledge that it is a start. Among those taking that stance are actor and Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey.

McConaughey took to Instagram Sunday night to comment on the Senate agreement.

The outline of the gun deal that was announced by the Senate Sunday offers modest curbs on obtaining firearms and will also focus on increasing efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs. Twenty senators, including 10 Republicans, called for the passage of this deal.

In response, McConaughey, in his Instagram story, wrote, “I do offer a firm handshake and a sincere ‘thank you’ to the members on both sides who came together and laid out this framework that can advance gun responsibility and save lives.”

He further mentions that after 30 years, “something” finally happened, allowing for a bipartisan framework of policies to attempt to tackle gun responsibility in the United States.

McConaughey reiterated that the announcement does not serve as a solution, but instead supports “more responsible gun ownership.” He added that ”there is still a lot of hard work for both parties, so let’s continue to encourage everyone at the table to act in good faith and give them our support to get this done.”

Under the compromise, juvenile records of gun buyers under 21 years of age will be made available when undergoing background checks. Money will also be offered to states to put in place “red flag” laws to temporarily take guns away from people who are considered potentially violent. The last major firearms restrictions enacted by lawmakers was the 1994 assault weapons ban, which Congress let expire 10 years later.

Earlier this month, McConaughey  made an appearance at the White House to call on Congress to “reach a higher ground” and pass gun control legislation in honor of the children and teachers killed in last month’s shooting rampage in Uvalde. In a highly personal 22-minute speech, McConaughey exhorted a gridlocked Congress to pass gun reforms that can save lives without infringing on Second Amendment rights.

McConaughey, a gun owner himself, used his star power to make an argument for legislation in a fashion that the Biden administration has not been able to muster, offering a clear connection to the small Texas town and vividly detailing the sheer loss of the 19 children and two teachers in the second worst mass school shooting in U.S. history.

He specifically called on Congress to bolster background checks for gun purchases and raise the minimum age to purchase an AR-15-style rifle to 21 from 18.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.