Video games have been blamed for the recent spate of US shootings which have left multiple people dead and dozens more injured.
29 people recently lost their lives in two mass shootings which took place in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The events are being classed as “domestic terrorism.”
Republican Party House minority leader, Kevin McCarthy, lashed out against video games as one of the reasons for the attacks, despite a huge amount of evidence to suggest otherwise.
Speaking with Fox News, McCarthy said: “I’ve always felt that [gaming] is a problem for future generations and others. We watch from studies shown before of what it does to individuals,
“When you look at these photos of how it took place, you can see the actions within video games.”
Check out the clip below.
Kevin McCarthy, the GOP House minority leader, also tells Fox News that video games are the problem following the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. pic.twitter.com/w7DmlJ9O1K
— John Whitehouse (@existentialfish) August 4, 2019
Naturally, social media has exploded with anger at the statement, with lots of people suggesting the minority leader is simply using gaming as a scapegoat without any real evidence.
Many Twitter users commented on the number of game-loving countries that have strict gun laws, noting that they’ve had no mass shootings this year.
Japan has the highest video game revenue per capita out of any country.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) August 4, 2019
US: 40,000 gun deaths/year
Japan: Less than 10 gun deaths/year
It isn’t video games, it’s the GOP, NRA and white supremacy.
Streamers and other high-profile video gamers are taking to social media to try and get their views across.
DrLupo tweeted: “Dear mainstream media,
“The only thing desensitizing a majority of the US to gun violence is all the gun violence. Video games haven’t influenced me, or anyone else, to go out and kill someone.
“Please stop lying. This is exhausting. We need actual change. Love,
-Lupo.”
Dear mainstream media,
— DrLupo (@DrLupo) August 4, 2019
The only thing desensitizing a majority of the US to gun violence is all the gun violence. Video games haven't influenced me, or anyone else, to go out and kill someone.
Please stop lying. This is exhausting. We need actual change.
Love,
-Lupo ❤️?
Maybe Americans wouldn't spend so much time at home playing video games if they weren't so fearful of going out somewhere and getting shot.
— Crystal Mora??? (@crystalmmo) August 4, 2019
Can this “debate” be put to bed now please?
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay