Several families of victims of the Uvalde school shooting have filed lawsuits against technology companies, state police officials, and gun-makers, seeking a total of $500 million in damages. The families allege that these companies and officials played a role in radicalizing or influencing the shooter, as well as failing to respond promptly to the shooting. In particular, the lawsuit against Georgia-based gun-maker Daniel Defense claims that the company knowingly exposed the shooter to the weapon, marketed to him through social media, and trained him to use it effectively. The families also accuse technology companies like Meta and Activision Blizzard of contributing to the shooter’s mindset through video games and social media content.
Activision Blizzard, the maker of “Call of Duty,” expressed sympathy for the families affected by the Uvalde shooting and denied any direct link between video games and real-life violence. The Entertainment Software Association, a video game industry trade group, similarly refuted the notion that video games are responsible for acts of violence. However, the families of victims argue that the shooter had been playing versions of “Call of Duty” since he was 15, including one that allowed him to practice with a rifle similar to the one used in the shooting. Furthermore, they claim that companies like Instagram did little to enforce rules against marketing firearms and harmful content to children, thereby contributing to the shooter’s actions.
The Uvalde shooter had allegedly opened an online account with Daniel Defense before his 18th birthday and purchased the rifle from the company. The families’ attorneys stated that Daniel Defense used Instagram to promote the illegal and murderous use of its weapons, contributing to the shooter’s mindset. In response to the lawsuits, Daniel Defense and Meta did not immediately provide comments. During a congressional hearing in 2022, Daniel Defense CEO Marty Daniels condemned the Uvalde shooting as a pure evil act. Additionally, a separate lawsuit filed by different plaintiffs seeks at least $27 billion in damages from local and state police, the city, and other entities involved in the law enforcement response to the shooting.
President Joe Biden offered his condolences to the Uvalde community and called for prayers for the victims, their families, and those who were wounded in the shooting. The lawsuits filed by the families of Uvalde shooting victims reflect a growing trend of holding technology companies and gun manufacturers accountable for their role in mass shootings. While these companies deny any direct link between their products and real-world violence, the families of victims argue that they played a significant role in influencing the shooter’s mindset and providing him with the means to carry out the attack. The outcome of these lawsuits may have broader implications for the regulation of online content and the marketing of firearms to potentially vulnerable individuals.
