General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Video games with guns are a problem, [View all]Locrian
(4,522 posts)to the gun "culture" absolutely.
I don't think it's causation for people that are already unhinged. They are "outliers" already.
What I really think tv, movies, games etc do is ADVERTISE guns as solutions and make them attractive to people.
Its 24/7 advertising. Same way that cigarettes were advertised in the old days.
I work with people who have bought specific models based on movie, tv etc. They see them more like "accessories" and "cool" things.
So contribute to mass shootings - probably not direct cause.
Contribute to the proliferation - and hence tendency to *have* a gun around (suicide, domestic abuse etc) absolutely.
Don't get me wrong - the right "move" is to follow other countries and make them unavailable. But in the US where there's a gun store or online store for easy availability, the free advertising undoubtedly helps business.