Lawsuits Target Social Media and Video Game Companies in Addition to Gun Manufacturer
On the second anniversary of the Robb Elementary School tragedy, families of the victims filed a series of lawsuits against companies beyond the previously targeted gun manufacturer. These lawsuits seek to hold Meta Platforms (owner of Instagram), Activision Blizzard (maker of Call of Duty), and Daniel Defense (manufacturer of the AR-style rifle) accountable for their products’ alleged role in the shooting.
Mounting Legal Action Coincides with Day of Remembrance
The lawsuits were filed on May 24th, 2024, as the Uvalde community held memorials and mourned the 19 students and two teachers killed in the 2022 attack. This legal action builds upon the $500 million lawsuit filed earlier in the week against Texas law enforcement officials for their response to the shooting.
Focus on Social Media and Video Games as Influencing Factors
These lawsuits represent a growing trend in mass shooting aftermaths. Similar legal action was taken by families of victims in the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting, targeting social media companies for the content accessible on their platforms. The Uvalde lawsuits allege that Instagram failed to enforce its regulations regarding firearm promotion and harmful content accessible to minors. Additionally, the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard claims that their Call of Duty games, which the shooter reportedly played for years, allowed him to practice with a virtual version of the weapon used in the attack.
Meta and Activision Blizzard Respond
In response to the lawsuits, Meta Platforms has yet to make a public statement. Activision Blizzard, however, expressed their sympathies to the families and communities affected by the tragedy. They emphasized that millions of people enjoy their video games responsibly and that they condemn the Uvalde shooting as “horrific and heartbreaking.”
