Call of Duty Maker Not Liable for Uvalde Shooting, Lawyer Argues
Let’s talk about the Uvalde tragedy—because honestly, it’s one of those things that keeps you up at night. Nineteen kids. Two teachers. Gone in an instant back in May 2022. And now, in the messy aftermath, some of the victims’ families are pointing fingers at an unlikely culprit: Call of Duty. Yeah, the video game. Their lawsuit claims it basically trained the shooter, numbing him to violence and even teaching him tactics. But here’s the thing—can we really blame pixels for real bullets? Activision, the company behind the game, sure doesn’t think so. Their lawyers are fighting hard to get this case tossed out.
Breaking Down the Lawsuit
What’s Actually in the Complaint?
So the families filed this suit in late 2022, arguing that Call of Duty “primed” the shooter by making gun violence look cool and military stuff seem like a game. Their lawyer put it bluntly: “These companies basically handed a messed-up kid a playbook.” Harsh words. But are they fair? That’s what the court has to figure out.
Activision’s Comeback
Not surprisingly, Activision’s legal team isn’t having it. They’re saying two big things: First, video games are free speech—protected by the First Amendment. Second, there’s zero proof the game caused the shooting. And they’ve got history on their side. Remember that 2011 Supreme Court case (Brown v. EMA)? That one shut down California’s attempt to ban violent game sales to kids. Courts usually don’t hold media responsible for what unhinged people do.
Do Video Games Really Make People Violent?
We’ve Been Here Before
Man, this feels familiar. Back in ’99 after Columbine, everyone blamed Doom. In the 90s, it was Marilyn Manson’s music. Pop culture always takes the heat after tragedies. The research? Super mixed. Some studies say games might make you a little more aggressive right after playing. But that big Oxford study in 2019? Found no link to actual violence. Even the American Psychological Association admits the data’s fuzzy—most gamers don’t go on shooting sprees.
What the Courts Keep Saying
Here’s the pattern: In 2003, someone tried to sue over Grand Theft Auto after a cop got killed. Judge tossed it—said the game didn’t directly cause anything. Same thing happened in 2017 with a Call of Duty case in Tennessee. Unless you can prove the game pulled the trigger, these lawsuits don’t stand.
What Psychologists Think
Talked to Dr. Christopher Ferguson, who studies this stuff. His take? “Blaming games is like blaming forks for making people fat.” Brutal, but he’s got a point. He says we’re ignoring the real issues—like terrible mental health care and how easy it is to get guns. But critics fire back: Today’s games look so real, they’re basically combat simulators for kids.
The Bigger Picture: Who’s Responsible?
The “Regulate Games” Crowd
Some activists argue game companies cash in on violence but won’t own the consequences. “If a movie studio did this, we’d come down hard,” one told me. A few politicians have floated ideas—warning labels, extra taxes on violent games—but nothing’s stuck.
The Free Speech Side
Then there’s the other camp saying, “Hold up—this is censorship.” A free speech advocate put it to me this way: “Once you start banning creative stuff, where does it stop?” The gaming industry‘s trade group (the ESA) insists games deserve the same protection as books or films.
Is There Middle Ground?
Maybe. We’ve already got age ratings (thanks, ESRB) and parental controls. Some experts suggest game makers could tweak design—like not rewarding players for headshots. But forcing changes through laws? That’s tricky.
What Happens Next?
The judge could rule on Activision’s dismissal request any month now. If the case moves forward, we might get a whole new legal debate about media influence. A trial would put Call of Duty under the microscope—and maybe spark calls for change. But if it gets dismissed? That could scare off similar lawsuits for good.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: When something as awful as Uvalde happens, we desperately want something—anything—to blame. Video games are an easy target. But the law and science keep saying they’re not the problem. Maybe instead of raging at polygons, we should focus on fixing the broken systems that let this keep happening. Because at the end of the day? Games don’t kill people. The guns in them may be fake, but the ones used in Uvalde were terrifyingly real.
Source: NY Post – US News
