Adam Lanza Shooting: Fox News Blames Video Games for Newtown Massacre, Here's Why They're Wrong

Impact

As it's being reported that Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre shooter, destroyed his computer's hard drive right before his deadly rampage — and that he probably was playing a "violent video game" before initiating the mass shooting — Fox News is trying to divert attention from our gun problems by blaming the Newtown tragedy on video games. 

Nice try Fox, but the Sandy Hook massacre wasn't caused by Call of Duty or Halo. It was most likely caused by a combination of mental health problems, and the availability of assault weapons and plenty of ammunition.

But Fox News is not alone in raising the flag on "violent video games." Senior Obama Adviser David Axelrod tweeted:

      

Too bad data proves both Fox News and David Axelrod are wrong. A study, reported by The Washington Post, which looks at "the world's 10 largest video game markets" found neither evidence nor statistical correlation between video game consumption and gun-related killings. 

Furthermore, other countries where video games are as popular as in the U.S. (or more) have a "much lower firearm-related murder rates." In fact, says the data, countries where video game consumption is highest "tend to be some of the safest countries in the world."

Read on WaPo.