Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey has met with US President Joe Biden at the White House and called on lawmakers to tighten gun control legislation.

McConaughey was born in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 people, including 19 children, were killed in a shooting rampage at an elementary school last month.

The actor appeared at a regular White House news briefing after meeting with the president on Tuesday.

McConaughey called on Congress to step up background checks for gun purchases and raise the minimum age to purchase highly lethal AR-15-style rifles. He said he was a responsible gun owner himself.

He also shared stories of those who were killed in last month's elementary school shooting. He talked about what the children were wearing on the day they were shot, and what they wanted to be when they grew up.

He said, "We need responsible gun ownership. These regulations are not a step back. They're a step forward for civil society."