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ECA Responds To NRA Blaming Sandy Hook On Video Games

News

by Matthew Kato on December 21, 2012 at 12:03 PM

17,929 Views

Earlier today, National Rifle Association (NRA) executive vice president Wayne LaPierre said that violent video games like Mortal Kombat and the Grand Theft Auto series were at least partly to blame for the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The Entertainment Consumers Association (ECA) begs to differ.

A statement by Jennifer Mercurio, vice president & general counsel for the ECA reads:

"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. 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."

Last year the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association that the state of California's law banning the sale of violent video games to minors was unconstitutional. Apart from video games' protection as speech under the First Amendment, the Supreme Court found that there was no "compelling" link between violent video games and an effect on children.

Email the author Matthew Kato, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, video game violence, eca, Supreme Court, newtown, sandy hook, nra, Wayne LaPierre

Comments

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by J Warrior Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM

At last! Someone who knows what they're talking about.
by TALI Z0RAH Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM

I feel like this going to last a long time...
by Galen Omega Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM

Eat it NRA
by Sublimey Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM

As terrible a crime as it was I'm sick of people always using video games as a scapegoat for the mental instability of people with easy access to guns. I played Mortal Kombat as a kid and the worst thing I did was punch my sister, my mom took it away and explained to me how it was wrong and I shouldn't do that. Parental involvement is the number thing America can do to keep this from happening anymore
by cgmaster27 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:15 PM

I'm sorry Mr. NRA, did the psycho use a copy of Mario to murder those Innocent children. To even link video games to this tragedy is absurd and underhanded because the NRA is feeling the heat. We don't even know if this kid did in fact played violent games. This argument is old and ridiculous.
by Bilbo Baggins Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:16 PM

I agree with the Supreme Court's ruling - violent games and media shouldn't be banned, that's censorship - but there does need to be a reality check among parents. This is a multifaceted problem that needs to be addressed with accordingly varied solutions - banning the sale of assault rifles like the AR-15 to civilians and improving the American system for treating mental health issues, most notably - but there does need to be some advocacy for preventing parents and salespeople from allowing 10 year olds to play Call of Duty, in my opinion. That's why these games are rated by the ESRB.

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this; let me know if you think I'm crazy or not.
by Austin Goetz Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:16 PM

I think people attack this media because it's so widely distributed but also very misunderstood. They try to connect dots that don't exist, if they do that they should at least be fair. If people who play Call of Duty are violent , then people who play Dance Central 3 compete in underground dance battles.
by Masterchief186 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:18 PM

Suck it NRA and Politicians
by Mattyhew Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:19 PM

That is a well worded comment on her part. It is easy to point the finger at any one thing, but this is a complicated issue and the solution is not so simple as taking away the law abiding citizens' rights. Government needs to streamline. It is almost impossible to get help for a mentally disturbed family member. Gov is too big and inefficient.. I am glad I don't work for them anymore (but I do miss not actually having to do anything for the first two hours of work and the last hour of work.. YOUR TAX DOLLARS! IT IS GROSS! I am glad I have a real job in an actual company now. I felt.. dirty.)
by reidloS doG Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:19 PM

On this issue, it's hard to be a conservative.
by Mattyhew Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:22 PM

Okay folks, keep in mind, the NRA is trying to protect YOUR second amendment.. it is just apparent that their effort is being misplaced, like most of our own governments effort. If they cared about protecting you, tobacco and the right to operate a car or truck would be at question, as those cause exponentially more death to all ages than purposeful gun violence. Also, crazy people tend to be behind any weapon hurting people at any time in history. Why not fix THAT?!
by Boyzby Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:23 PM

And yet it'll still keep getting blamed for everything.
by Zombie Monkey 7 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:24 PM

The NRA: We felt it was necessary and respectful to stay quit in this time of grieving unlike others who want to push their own political agenda. Now if we can just ban those sick disgusting video games and put armed personnel in ever school, then we will be just fine. NRA Logic
by cwdd47 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:28 PM

The NRA is quick to point the finger at games and media, yet COMPLETELY misses the fact that the shooters mother was an irresponsible gun owner. She didn't have them locked up to where her mentally unstable son couldn't get access to them. If he didn't get access to these guns, none of those kids would've lost their lives. PROPERLY LOCK UP YOUR FIREARMS PEOPLE!
by Raven K. Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:32 PM

MENTAL HEALTH/ HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FAILURE that is all
by Rusty Hicks Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:33 PM

I hate it when people blame violent media for tragedies such as this. I have been a gamer all of my life (29). I have also experience some of the most violent media out there. None of it has made me want to do anything remotely violent. The only thing playing video games makes me want to do is, play more video games! People who are biased towards certain things, are always quick to blame those things. Plain and simple. I'm so tired of hearing games blamed for tragic shootings. I've had to hear this all of my life and it's ridiculous.
by hazy12001 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:36 PM

yea the nra the same group of people that threatened the politicians there careers if they stand against them
by DrDee44 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:39 PM

I can understand.the NRA wanting to pass off the heat onto someone else. I mean, look at who gets.blamed every time a tragedy that has anything to do with firearms occurs. But really guys, video games? Why would you side with the politicians who always blame you and go after video games? You're better than that.
by shelltoes Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:39 PM

They can take my video games from my cold dead hand
by jeffers3000 Friday, December 21, 2012 at 12:42 PM

ECA - Polite, factual response that pays respects to the victims of a terrible tragedy NRA - RRAAAAAGGGH! VIDEO GAMES! RRAAAAAGGGH! BUY MOAR GUNZ!