Parents of School Shooting Victims Sue Instagram, Video Game Publisher, and Weapon Manufacturer

by John Nowacky
in Action, Featured, News, Release
on 24 May 2024

In a tragic incident that occurred two years ago at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, the lives of 19 innocent children and two adults were cut short by a mass shooter. Now, the grieving families have taken legal action, filing wrongful death suits against Instagram, Activision (the maker of the video game “Call of Duty”), and Daniel Defense (a manufacturer of AR-15 rifles). These lawsuits claim that the three entities played a role in enabling the mass shooter to carry out his heinous act.

The lawsuits, which have been filed in Texas and California, allege that over the past 15 years, Instagram, Activision, and Daniel Defense have engaged in a partnership that targets insecure adolescent boys. The families’ attorneys argue that this partnership effectively exposed the shooter to the weapon, conditioned him to see it as a solution to his problems, and trained him on its use.

According to the press release issued by the law firms representing the families, the shooter purchased the assault rifle used in the massacre moments after turning 18. It is further claimed that the shooter was an avid player of “Call of Duty,” a popular first-person shooter video game, and that the weapon used in the shooting was featured in the game he frequently played.

The lawsuit filed in Texas highlights the alleged use of Instagram and “Call of Duty” by Daniel Defense to target and advertise to adolescent boys, convincing them to purchase an AR-15 as soon as they reach adulthood. The release suggests that weeks after downloading the latest “Call of Duty” game, the shooter began researching firearms and browsing Daniel Defense’s website.

Similarly, the lawsuit filed in California claims that other mass shooters, including those involved in the Parkland High School shooting in Florida in 2018 and the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Connecticut in 2012, have been associated with or mentioned the game “Call of Duty.”

While the grieving families seek justice and accountability for their unimaginable loss, the lawsuits bring to light broader questions about the role of social media platforms, video games, and weapon manufacturers in relation to gun violence. As the legal battles unfold, the outcome could have significant implications for the future of these industries and their responsibilities regarding the content they produce and promote.

Additional facts:

1. The lawsuit alleges that Instagram, Activision, and Daniel Defense targeted insecure adolescent boys as part of a partnership to promote and sell AR-15 rifles.
2. The shooter in the Robb Elementary School shooting purchased the assault rifle moments after turning 18, indicating that he legally obtained the weapon.
3. The shooter was an avid player of the video game “Call of Duty” and the weapon used in the shooting was featured in the game.
4. The lawsuit filed in Texas claims that Daniel Defense used Instagram and “Call of Duty” to target and advertise to adolescent boys, convincing them to purchase an AR-15 as soon as they reach adulthood.
5. Other mass shooters, including those involved in the Parkland High School shooting and the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, have been associated with or mentioned the game “Call of Duty.”
6. The lawsuits raise broader questions about the responsibilities of social media platforms, video game makers, and weapon manufacturers in relation to gun violence.

Key questions and answers:

1. How do the grieving families argue that Instagram, Activision, and Daniel Defense enabled the mass shooter?
– The families argue that the entities played a role in exposing the shooter to the weapon, conditioning him to see it as a solution, and training him on its use.

2. What is the significance of the shooter purchasing the assault rifle legally?
– It raises questions about the ease of access to firearms and the responsibility of weapon manufacturers in ensuring their products do not end up in the wrong hands.

Key challenges or controversies:

1. Causation: One of the key challenges would be proving a direct causal link between the actions of Instagram, Activision, and Daniel Defense and the shooter’s decision to carry out the mass shooting.

2. First Amendment rights: Video games and social media platforms are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. The controversy arises when trying to determine if these entities can be held liable for the actions of individuals who consume their content.

Advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:
– Holding these entities accountable can potentially lead to heightened awareness and responsible practices in the creation and promotion of content related to firearms.
– The lawsuits can bring attention to the broader societal issues surrounding gun violence and its root causes.

Disadvantages:
– The lawsuits may face challenges in proving a direct link between the actions of these entities and the mass shooting.
– There is a risk that legal action taken against these entities could lead to limitations on freedom of speech and expression, setting a precedent for future cases.