As Expected the NRA Points to Video Games as Part of the Gun Violence Issue

[Shawn Zipay]

Who would have ever expected a group of pro-gun enthusiasts would try and point the finger at a scape goat such as video games for horrific crimes committed with guns? Oh right, we and most other sane people realized this a while back that this was exactly what the NRA would try and do.

The Vice-President of the NRA Wayne LaPierre said that guns themselves are not the cause of gun-related violence (my mind was just blown while typing that out). Instead, he points the finger at violent media saying, "there exists in this country a callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells, and sows, violence against its own people."

He continues on to name a few specifics, "through vicious, violent video games with names like Bulletstorm , Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat, and Splatterhouse." He also notes a flash game called Kindergarten Killer.

"It's been online for 10 years. How come my research department could find it and all of yours either couldn't or didn't want anyone to know you had found it?

"Isn't fantasizing about killing people as a way to get your kicks really the filthiest form of pornography?

He then went on to say that incidents like Newton could be prevented by having armed guards in school. Go figure, a group that thrives on the availability of guns would want even more people to have them.

As a voice of reason, the Entertainment Consumers Association responded to the NRA's remarks:

"We agree with the Supreme Court's decisions, and the volumes of scientific research, which all clearly state that there is no causal link between media violence and real life violence," said Jennifer Mercurio, Vice President & General Counsel at the Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA). "As we are all learning increasingly through the news, this is a situation of the perpetrator's mental disorders, and his family's inability to adequately deal with them in time. Our hearts remain with all those suffering in the aftermath of this horrendous crime."

And while I do hate linking to their site, the full transcript from today's remarks by the NRA can be found here.

[Shawn Zipay]

The NRA "Where our Second Amendment rights are more important than your First Amendment rights."

[SgtMattBaker]

It's funny that most of this stuff only happens in the US while games cover a global market.
Or is the war against drugs in Mexico also caused by video games? Damn those drug lords playing CoD.

It's all about proper education and proper parenting.

[jimykx]

Lol, I bet he typed on google for "violent videogames" and those game names came up

[CptainCrunch]

Thats a shame that they did that. They just jumped on a bad wagon to divert attention. They cry about how people are quick to blame the guns, an inanimate object, and then turn around a blame a game, a fake world thats made up.

[K-16]

The problem and fear I'm having is the majority of society seems to be unfamiliar with video games and its link to violence. It's true video games can desensitize, or improve psychological conditions towards violence as the military is experimenting with interactive media to treat some soldiers suffering from PTSD. The fact that video games can reorient ourselves back to society's acceptable standards MUST mean the opposite is just as possible. It's all a matter of perspective from the user and how the interactive media conditions said user. Another example is Mike Krahulik (Gabe from Penny Arcade), where he makes sure he hugs his son every night before bedtime. Why? Because Mr. Krahulik was playing Heavy Rain at the time, and even though it's a game, the mere thought of losing his son terrifies him. So he makes sure he never takes his son for granted.

Simply put, as the majority of society was never informed enough to be confident that video games have no causal link to violence, I am terrified that video games would make a valid scapegoat for the NRA. Considering there are scientific data and other evidence that supports and opposes games, society is confused about this. Just as how there are people who are unsure that guns are the sole cause of violence, there are many who are unsure that video games are just as bad. The NRA recognizes this, so it's a battle to push the blame on SOMETHING, and that scares me a lot. We can lose this just as easily as the NRA. Maybe both of us will lose and both will suffer from stricter governmental control.

Even charity events like Child's Play Charity aren't enough, because the majority of supporters are from the gaming industry. I know I can ask my parents and they will assume Child's Play is a scam to fool society and support violent people hiding in dark rooms "pressing the buttons" to shoot things. I don't blame them. They aren't informed through the internet. They're informed through mainstream news and the stock market. How are they supposed to know anything about us? We haven't informed society in general. So I'm scared, and not confident about the results from this debate.

Oh and Zips? It looks like you need to contact Penny Arcade for royalties. Looks like brilliant minds think alike. Well done.

[cikame]

I'm in a different position of being pro both 'issues', guns can be a force for good, games are not the cause of violence, mentally ill people use both to cause harm just like they could use anything else, knives, cars, rope.
The government using what the media is doing to create an huge anti gun agenda is kinda gross, we should really be talking about the difficult issues like raising awareness for the support of mentally affected families, because the people closest to the violent children are their parents.

[Stev0esque]

I'm in a different position of being pro both 'issues', guns can be a force for good, games are not the cause of violence, mentally ill people use both to cause harm just like they could use anything else, knives, cars, rope.
The government using what the media is doing to create an huge anti gun agenda is kinda gross, we should really be talking about the difficult issues like raising awareness for the support of mentally affected families, because the people closest to the violent children are their parents.

yeah, all this political bickering makes me wonder why everyone is ignoring a bigger issue: Mental illness.

[CptainCrunch]

Because it wont be easy to fix. In the end "feel good" laws are going to get passed and nothing else is going to get done about it.

Also, though I am sure many will disagree, the government shouldnt be involved in mental health. How would you like any government to have the power to declare you mentally unfit? Thats a lot of power to hand over.

I dont know if there is an easy answer to it though. Some people cant be "fixed" and how do you lock someone up who has done nothing wrong...yet?

[Stev0esque]

Well it doesn't have to be the government. But the public should at least be made aware of the problems of mental health. Be aware of how to prevent these things from happening and to seek help for their loved ones properly.