5 Facts About School Shootings and Video Games the NRA Needs to Look At

By Jef With One F Mon., Dec. 24 2012 at 11:00 AM

So, by now you've undoubtedly seen the statement from the National Rifle Association regarding the tragic school shooting in Newtown, Conn. In it, Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre suggested armed guards at the entrance of every school would ensure the safety of schoolchildren. He also managed to blame pop culture, including music videos and video games.

I can see how something like Is Tropical's "The Greeks" might appeal to a mass murderer, but let's be honest. Music videos aren't influencing anyone much anymore. It's still an amazing art form, but their reach to the general public is tiny now compared to the MTV heyday.

So let's turn to video games. They're an old scapegoat ever since Sub-Zero started ripping off heads with spines still attached in Mortal Kombat. The effect of playing such games on young minds has been the subject of much debate, and much more nonsense. Today I thought I'd share some statistics that groups like the NRA who are looking to assign blame to my favorite, non-Doctor Who hobby might want to look at.

Adam Lanza Mostly Played a Non-Violent Game

Though headlines trumpeted titles like Call of Duty when talking about his gaming, Lanza's main pastime was playing StarCraft. StarCraft is a science fiction real-time military campaign simulator, and while that sounds like some serious dogs of war stuff the reality of it is that it is basically a high tech version of Stratego.

The game isn't particularly violent. Oh sure, you kill things, but even Mario kills things. The expansion pack that Lanza was probably playing, Brood War to judge by the fact that reports of him playing it go back to around 2008, is rated T for Teen. In other words, it was deemed probably appropriate for players aged 13 and up.

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FattyFatBastard topcommenter

This is a very easy argument when you have a roaring society. We are not currently there. I am not a gun owner, nor do I plan on being one, and the fact that this sniveley little loser that couldn't beat a one armed midget in a fight was able to do this destruction is indeed disgusting. But also realize that he never purchased the damn guns. His mother did.

I have more to add, but I'll allow the other asshats to respond first.

meldavis_99

The video game argument is about as valid as the guns being the problem. I do believe that violent games, shows, videos and movies do have the ability to influence those with mental health deficiencies. I've seen examples from peers in real life.

I find it irresponsible to give way to so much speculation and calls for change until the investigation is done, really. Really shows the transparency in self-interest when the debate begins before the victims and families can begin to mourn.

John-Paul Franklin

Guess what? In countries that don't allow the guns but do allow the video games this kind of thing doesn't happen. It's easier to look for scapegoats than to deal with hard reality and politics of banning guns.

Houston Deep

Don't worry Press. We will loose our right to violent games right after our right to have guns. And I suppose the right to half ass journalism will follow.

Adam Roberts

In other countries our violent video games, movies and such are enjoyed by mentally ill people and they have no mass killings. The difference is in the USA mentally ill people have access to violent media AND easy access to guns. That's the problem. It's easy access to guns by mentally unstable people.

Rafa Hernandez

None

Lauren Brewer Clark

Video games are only bad for mentally I'll people who should be locked away like that SOB who killed those babies. I blame his wacko mother who knew he was screwed up for teaching him to fire a weapon.