The CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the gaming giant responsible for the creation of the Grand Theft Auto series, slammed President Trump for blaming violent video games for the recent mass shootings by saying that ‘blaming entertainment is irresponsible!’
According to Strauss Zelnick, blaming computer games for such violent acts in not only irresponsible but also disrespectful to the families of the victims of the shootings.
“We’re just sickened and saddened by these senseless tragedies. That said, blaming entertainment is irresponsible. Moreover, it is highly disrespectful to the victims and their families,” Zelnick expressed.
“The fact is entertainment is consumed world-wide…but gun violence is uniquely American. So we need to address the real issues.”
The response followed after the US president claimed that “troubled youth” can easily become dangerous when they choose to “surround themselves with a culture that celebrates violence. We must stop or substantially reduce this.”
In the recent Walmart shooting in El Paso, Texas, 20 people were killed. On top of that, another 9 were killed in a shooting in Dayton, Ohio.
In his statement provided at the White House, Trump blamed various factors such as the internet, video games, white supremacy, and mental illness for mass shootings which have long troubled the country.
“Our nation must condemn racism, bigotry, and white supremacy. These sinister ideologies must be defeated. Hate has no place in America,” Trump said.
“The internet has provided a dangerous avenue to radicalize disturbed minds,” he added.
As the president claimed, he is working with “the Department of Justice to work in partnership with local, state, and federal agencies as well as social media companies to develop tools that can detect mass shooters before they strike.”
As part of early detection, more attention should also be paid to people with mental illnesses.point 191 | “We must reform our mental health laws to better identify mentally disturbed individuals who may commit acts of violence and make sure these people not only get treatment but, when necessary, involuntary confinement,” the US president suggested.point 404 | 1
“Mental illness and hatred pulls the trigger, not the gun,” Trump added, speaking of the gun law reform.
Instead of banning firearms, he will “make sure that those judged to post a grave risk to public safety do not have access to firearms and that if they do, those firearms can be taken through rapid due process. That is what I have called for red flag laws. Also known as extreme risk protection orders.”
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