Violent video games are not to blame: Why I’d cancel my membership to the NRA

Says GamesBeat writer Jason Lomberg: I'm not a member of the NRA. But if I were, I'd cancel my membership immediately. Violent games are not to blame for the Newton tragedy, and they won't make anyone more proficient with firearms.

[vork77]

i approve this

[SilentNegotiator]

There are plenty of 2nd-Amendment groups. No need to stick with the NRA.

[DeadlyFire]

I always liked the NRA up until this ignorant shot at video games came out of them.

[Sandmano]

If anything if there were no violent games then people would probably commit more crimes. Theres times when people get angry and do stupid things they later regret. Sitting down and playing a game be it violent or not is a great way to let out some steam.

[cl1983]

I agree with the author, with his point of weapon proficiency, not translating through normal video games. However the military's around the world have been using video games to train situational awareness, tactics, and in some more advance simulators even heavy weapons. Now while I agree the games most of us play currently are out of scope with the military, the NRA has a partially valid point.
http://www.3news.co.nz/US-m...
http://www.bing.com/videos/...

[jadenkorri]

yes, but those soldiers still train in the real things. No military is gonna train someone with just video games/simulators then hand them a gun/rifle and say your ready for war.
NRA has no valid point, A gun did not walk into the school and shoot those kids. Someone disturbed held a gun and did the most atrocious thing anyone could imagine. Video games has nothing to do with this. This person wanted attention, and were giving it all to him right now.
Any gun laws/restrictions takes the gun out of law abiding citizens and will hand them directly to criminals leaving innocent people no way of defending themselves. NRA should be standing by your constitutional rights, not blaming video games.

[cl1983]

I didn't say that they didn't train with real weapons. I was only saying that there are some video games that do train people to kill all though they are designed exclusively for the military and police.

[League_of_Draven]

If violent video games are to blame for gun crimes then guns are to blame for violent video games.

[Enemy]

You're wrong, man. Video games clearly invented violence. People only started killing each other in 1972 after the birth of pong.

[FreshRevenge]

yes video games cause Hitler to execute 6 million Jewish people. What oh that is right video games didn't exist back during the holocaust!

[DeadlyFire]

Checkers did though. I never realized it was such a dangerous thing to play games. Never know when they will inspire violence. A loss a checkers could cause death to millions.

[Summons75]

NRA isn't to blame either. Stop acting like there is a problem with gun control. Criminals will get guns illegally. They aren't going into a gun shop applying for a license and buying a gun or getting denied and saying "oh well, harming people is wrong anyway".

[Lifeequals42]

I don't think anyone is suggesting that (in this thread, anyway).

[SnakeCQC]

erm okay crazy gun nut. In japan where guns are illegal there has never been more than 30 gun related deaths while in america its over a thousand. Do you see why? give people guns and they will shoot people thinking they are in the right and its the solution to the problem. The NRA gets vast amounts of money from the arms industry and its clear from their stance on everything that they are a lobby group

[Summons75]

You can't compare Japan to the US, they are two completely different countries. Japan is raised with deep morals and values where in america there are so many different cultures and people get raised differently, that is why in Japan you can leave your bike on the street for hours unlocked and it will still be there; in the States you do that it will be gone in less than 30 minutes. Taking away people's right to defend themselves will do nothing but raise the crime rate because innocent people who respect laws won't be able to defend themselves.

[ChocolateGiddyUp]

I live in the south where everybody owns a gun, and I'm more worried about the legal-firearm owner shooting me. Nothing ruins your day faster than sitting across from a table full of psychos with revolvers hanging off their belts at a pizza place.

I think in Japan you have to pass a psychological evaluation in order to buy a gun. We should probably follow their lead.

[vickers500]

Most of these shootings aren't caused by criminals though, they're caused by people without a criminal record, people who are able to go into a gun shop and apply for a license and just buy a gun.

And maybe heavier gun control laws wont "stop" these kinds of tragedies, but you would be a fool to think they wouldn't at least lessen them.

Guns shouldn't be as easy to get as they are now, and there is absolutely NO need for automatic rifles other than for military and police forces.

When I hear the same old "we don't need gun control because the person will always find guns", those people never suggest actual solutions (other than "keep your guns safely locked up", which obviously isn't working), they're just replying to a fear of someone taking away a hobby of theirs, and seem like keeping that hobby is worth more than the potential to reduce shootings.

Gun control laws may not stop the intelligent calculated psychos or criminals, but they do have high potential to stop the emotionally unstable people who might try to go buy a gun at walmart or steal a gun from a relative.

I'm not saying we should ban all firearms(except automatic rifles), but I am saying that it should be MUCH more difficult to get a gun than it is now. Hell, make it a requirement to pass a psych evaluation to be able to own a gun/get a gun license.

And I know, guns aren't to blame, the people are. The thing is though, is that gun laws can change, people can't/won't.

[ab5olut10n]

nobody is using automatic rifles in these shootings. semi-auto, huge difference.

[cl1983]

Actually most guns used in these school, and mass shootings have been stolen. Also the federal fire arms act of 1939 requires a person go through a atf back ground check and pay a 250.00 permit fee to have a full auto or select fire weapon.

[TekoIie]

Your assuming that everyone who uses a gun to start a mass shooting was a criminal before hand knows where to find an illegal gun dealer...

That is simply not the case and It is a desperate argument to usw when it comes to supporting gun ownership laws.

[NagaSotuva]

I read that every single mass murderer used toilet paper at some point of their lives. I'm on to you, Charmin.

[pompombrum]

NRA or whoever can blame video games as much as they want but at the end of the day, video games are almost completely incapable of killing people, now guns on the other hand.. Can debate what the reason is for whoever kills anyone but at the end of the day, when it's done with a gun, a solution seems fairly obvious to me.

[KrisButtar]

well said bubble up for you

[ravenl0rd]

Here's the thing about guns. This is what it always boils down to and why guns are legal for Americans to own. It has nothing to do with hunting. It is all about defense, not just defense of one's home and property against robberies and violent criminals, but against enemies, foreign and domestic. The ability of the average citizen to arm makes us a very dangerous country to invade and also a very dangerous country for any kind of oppressive government takeover. We cannot give up our arms for if we do, we can be herded like lambs to the slaughter. The reason that guns are legal, again, is to keep us free. That is a fact. I don't even own a gun and have no desire to do so, but the fact that I can is what makes us free. We cannot give up our liberties just because of a few nuts. We didn't outlaw dogs when Son of Sam took his orders from one.

[digger18]

People in the UK enjoy much more freedom than people in the US and guess what? Guns are illegal over here.

[Lucreto]

@gamejediben

Yes life with rules and regulation has hurt the country. Yeah right. Most UK people are far better off because of regulation.

Look at the state of the US economy because of the lack of regulation. We are better off and have more rights and labour rights than the US.

The US has the right to bear arms the UK has the right to healthcare like most of the western world. I would pick healthcare everytime.

[digger18]

gamejediben, don't tell me you really believe that rubbish you just wrote.!!!!
People in the US are taxed just the same as over here in the UK, so does that make you slaves as well. I worked in the US for about 2 1/2 years, I paid around the same amount in taxes, plus getting less holiday pay. I get paid 6 weeks holiday a year back in the UK (which is normal), plus national holidays.

And yes we have a lot more freedom in a lot of other things.

So please get some schooling.

[gamejediben]

@ Lucreto

Keep your taxes and your healthcare. I'll keep my rights. Clearly you British and we Americans have different priorities in life and its why we are separate countries now. As Patrick Henry said: "Give me liberty or give me death!"

@ Digger18

Our taxes are FAR less. YOU need to do some research. Why do you think so many British citizens are immigrating here? Okay, yes, our food, weather and economy are better but the real draw is lower taxes and property rights. America isn't perfect but it's better than being a slave to the crown.

[rainslacker]

@gamejediben

Wow...I'm American, and I can say that you are seriously misinformed on the UK. The average mean tax for the UK is about 36%. The average mean tax for the US is about 29%. That's hardly a difference considering how many national benefits they get, namely health care. Healthcare in the US can easily cost you 7% of the average US salary, even more for those that are well below it...if they can afford it at all. On top of that the labor laws for many European countries are exceedingly better than those here in the states.

I'd also like to see some statistics that prove your immigration argument. I'm sure you don't have any actual numbers, and your just spewing hyperbole.

Also...slaves to the crown? You do know that England works on a parliamentary system don't you? The Monarchy is at the head, but decisions are made by elected officials, much the way our congress does for us. I think it's been over 100 years since the crown vetoed something from parliament. Their prime minister serves in a similar capacity to our president nowadays. Much of this change came around the late 1600's. It's hardly anything new.

And what property rights do Americans have that UK citizens do not?

Honestly I'd be surprised if you could even name all the countries that make up the UK.

[gamejediben]

@rainslacker

Well I don't know where you live, but here in the great state of Texas our taxes are almost an afterthought. And since I'd rather not have health insurance and just pay it out of pocket, my healthcare is almost negligible.

I'm not going to give you any statistics but I meet tons of people from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Great Britain and they all say the same thing: "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could."

I suppose I SHOULD have said "slaves to the commonwealth" but that doesn't quite have the same ring to it. Regardless, they are, for all intents and purposes, slaves to their government and held hostage to some collective entity.

I happen to value my individuality and personal freedom and if you don't like that, then hear this: you don't belong in this country, plain and simple. Too many have fought and died so that you can live your life as you see fit without the government telling you how big your house can be, what kind of car you can drive, what kind of food you can eat or how long you can live.

If you want to suck the government teat and obey every command they issue, go live somewhere else. I demand a better life than that and my right to own a firearm is my guarantee.

[rainslacker]

@game

An afterthought? Texas is ranked 11 among all states with the amount of income tax you have to pay between local and state. If you don't want health insurance fine, that's your choice, but wait until you have to go to the hospital and end up having a bill that's over 10 grand or more because you prefer to pay out of pocket. Do you plan on paying that out of pocket, or do you just want others to take that hit on your behalf?

I see...you want to use anecdotal evidence as to what UK citizens feel about their country. How about this. I lived in London for 7 months for work, and outside of a few people who were just complainers, most of them were quite happy and proud of their country and heritage. It's no different than it is here in the US. People in the UK complain about their govt in the same way we do, and they aren't suppressed for it.

Being slaves...well that can be said for any organized country. It's true in the US as well. Just try to do something that isn't allowed and see if you are as free as you think you are.

quote
"
I happen to value my individuality and personal freedom and if you don't like that, then hear this: you don't belong in this country, plain and simple."

Hypocritical statement of the year right there. There's a difference between individuality and personal freedom vs ignorance.

Lets look at your property rights argument

1. How big your house can be. Do you know that the entirety of the UK can fit into the state of Texas, yet the UK has more than 250% the number of people Texas does. There's only so much land mass to build on, and the same kind of thing is done in every major city in the US. You think you can build whatever you want? Go look at your cities building codes and see that there are a hell of a lot of rules, including size of the building based on zoning.

2. I've seen every kind of car imaginable in the UK. They are more stringent on emissions, not unlike California is...again this is because of a population density thing, and overall not giving into corporate influences when it comes to the environment.

3. In every European country I've been too I've seen almost every kind of food I can get in the US. In fact they have less to deal with than we do with the FDA.

4. Pretty sure the UK govt isn't killing off it's people when they reach a certain age.

None of my comments were based on what I want so there is no need for me to go somewhere else. I like America just fine. All my comments were based on your ignorance.

[TekoIie]

I think you assuming that the American population has the courage, training and discipline to fight against these "invaders"...

I present to you your leader: http://www.biography.com/im...

... Oh and his experience in war: http://www.rutlandherald.co...

Also who are these invaders? Oh dont say your own government because thats complete bull. Every time someone says that I ask them "Yeh them and what Army?". The US Army is made up of (can you guess it?!?!).... AMERICANS. I seriously doubt they are going to attempt to kill and enslave their own friends and families......

[ravenl0rd]

I didn't say that an oppressive government takeover was likely or even possible. I said what the reason for the second amendment was. That is all. Also, Ted Nugent is a strange man. Just because I stated what the second amendment is for does not mean that I am with that guy. Also, training is irrelevant since the second amendment doesn't say that only military can own guns. Gun safety classes should be absolutely mandatory for gun ownership however.

[fOrlOnhOpe57]

Does anyone find it a little hypocritical that more than 80k people in the US want Piers Morgan deported for his comments against the 2nd ammendment being unconstitutional?
Isnt freedom of speech written into the constitution somewhere?

[cl1983]

Being that he isn't a US citizen technically he isn't entitled to the rights that we have. How ever I do think his on going issues with Jeremy Clarkson is hilarious.

[rainslacker]

People that follow or get riled up over politics can get on the hate bandwagon as quickly as some gamers can. Many times it makes this place look like a pre-school playground. Whether he is American or not, I don't think he should be deported. I hardly consider him an enemy of the state, and he has the right to his opinion.

While I know those inalienable rights we enjoy aren't necessarily extended to those who simply take up residence here, I'd like to think we're more civilized than assuming they are lesser people because they just happen to be born in another country. The declaration of independence said it best. "All men are created equal." Not, "All Americans are created equal.".

[Zha1tan]

The reason is not video games or guns, both can be enjoyed without death, the problem is as usual human beings who can never seem to accept it is their own fault and are always looking to blame something.

America has a horrible time dealing with mental health issues and so many people are oblivious to mental health issues despite the signs being blatantly obvious.