Cop Blames Videogames For Sandy Hook Massacre

[HellbirdIV]

Anonymous sources for tabloids DO NOT EXIST.

Oh I'm sure they do. I imagine tabloid journalists are too lazy and creatively bankrupt to make it all up themselves, so they ask a random person to make something up, then they say the source is totes a legit authority on the subject, if only so they'll get writer's credit.

It takes two to do the tabloid tango.

 

[SSJBlastoise]

slowest accuser of violence due violent video games of all time!
OF ALL TIME!

I honestly thought it was a necro but then I looked at the date and thought WTF? Anyway, must have been a slow news day or something, I can't see why this kind of statement is just coming out now.

The officer said Lanza learned some of the techniques he used in his attack from videogames, including the "tactical reload" - reloading before your current clip empties - and switching to a handgun when the strap broke on his AR-15 rifle. "Classic police training," he said. "Or something you learn playing kill games."

I find this the worst part of it, that kind of stuff isn't hard to look up on the internet and doesn't really require much thought to think "shit, I'm close to no ammo and there's not much going on, better reload". If he was a true gamer there would be magazines scattered around that only had half a dozen shots fired.

 

[AT God]

I haven't played consoles in a long time, which button reloads the guns? On the most pistols I think you have to press A, if thats the button on the controller also we may have an epidemic brewing around here.

 

[BoogieManFL]

Wow, I must be lucky. My strap on my AR never broke while I was playing a video game.

Okay but seriously, why does it matter he played video games when it's known he had mental illness? Really? Explain that one.

People who go on mass killings are messed up in the head, plain and simple. Hundreds of millions of people play video games every day. Yet, shootings like this are relatively rare. And these kinds of murder sprees happened centuries ago.

Spoiler

 

[Hellfireboy]

gamers are the only ones that ever count score right? oh wait, no, sports do to. so ban sports, its obviously their fault.

Also, i couldn't enable the auto-aim.

You filthy console peasant, bend to your PC master who happens to have this magical device called "mouse" and needs no stupid autoaim.

I spent 10 years in the Army, fired all kinds of weapons including the M4/M16, the M2 heavy machine gun, M249 SAW and the M203 grenade launcher. I loved shooting. You know what doesn't feel anything like shooting a firearm? Clicking a fucking mouse! In addition a tactical reload is a little more complicated than pressing a button in real life. If Call of Duty can make you into a goddamn super-soldier they why isn't Madden producing more top football players?

it was a joke jab at his console autoaim since consoles cant aim properly.....

I know. The venom in my post wasn't aimed at the previous posters (I find nothing in their posts that would justify such a reaction but rather, I agree with the first and find the next two rather amusing) but at that utter stupidity of those who think that a combat related video game can actually teach you how to be a real combatant. A video game with guns will not teach you how to use a gun in real life. Using a controller or clicking a mouse is not only not in the same ballpark as firing a real gun, it isn't even the same sport and yet still the argument that games lead to sociopathic violence somehow persists. It seems to be a stubborn world view based on panic that proves to be utterly immune to any and all reasoning arguments exposing the fallacy of their perspective.

I have trained as a combatant. I have trained in the use of firearms. I have been to war and been in combat. I still suck at Call of Duty. If Call of Duty or any game like it had any effect on how well one could perform in actually combat I wouldn't be here to make this point. Being capable of performing one is MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE from the other and yet the argument persists. Clicking a mouse will not make you a better shot or make it any easier to actually take a life and yet the argument persists. In 2007 the Justice Dept. commissioned a study that showed conclusively that there was no causal link between video games and actual acts of violence and yet the argument persists. Honestly the weight of such audacious and belligerently defended stupidity is just giving me a headache and I think we would all have just as much luck trying to argue cosmology with someone who thinks the earth is a flat disk on the back of a giant turtle.

 

[Riobux]

I'm willing to bet this interview was bullshit just trying to stir up page views

And this was posted onto this website to stir up page views. Considering this view point of a random police officer doesn't affect anyone at all, and is akin to getting a professional opinion off a homeless person, I'm getting the sneaking suspicion this was posted to stir up a frenzy.

 

[EHKOS]

Didn't the whole "high score" joke come from /b/? I cannot believe what has come out of this mans mouth, if it were given a name it would be something like "Dumbass Brook". I can feel the hate coming off this guy, even though he understands nothing of the subject. It's kind of sad.

 

[DragonStorm247]

I'm willing to bet this interview was bullshit just trying to stir up page views

And this was posted onto this website to stir up page views. Considering this view point of a random police officer doesn't affect anyone at all, and is akin to getting a professional opinion off a homeless person, I'm getting the sneaking suspicion this was posted to stir up a frenzy.

Likely. But there are people who actually hear this crap and ignorantly nod their heads. It perpetuates until enough people start believing it, and then you get someone who DOES matter spouting this nonsense.

Idiocy is a plague, and must be dealt with accordingly. Whenever a claim like this outbreaks, publicly denounce it, prevent it from spreading further.

 

[Mayamellissa]

He said score sheet I immediately thought of the movie the Frighteners. You know with Micheal J. Fox? By the way Ted Bundy never played video games. Charles Manson and his family of psycho killers never played video games. That veteran officer doesn't know a freaking thing. Video games are being used as merely excuses and cop outs (pun intended) so you can push your agenda and ignore this was a severely disturbed young man who went on a horrific REAL LIFE killing spree.

 

[Riobux]

Likely. But there are people who actually hear this crap and ignorantly nod their heads. It perpetuates until enough people start believing it, and then you get someone who DOES matter spouting this nonsense.

Idiocy is a plague, and must be dealt with accordingly. Whenever a claim like this outbreaks, publicly denounce it, prevent it from spreading further.

Not only people who ignorant nod their head in agreement, but those who shake their head furiously in disagreement. Over what exactly? It's things like this that does make video-gamers create their own monsters, because as soon as someone suggests that video-games are not perfect they scream and throw faeces against the wall. This is despite the people in question affecting absolutely nothing. One only has to notice Anita Sarkeesian to really get a full understanding of how this culture seems to lose their mind at the slightest thing. I think there's a decent chunk of misunderstanding and painting a desired picture (i.e. Anita cherry-picked comments that would come off as abhorrent, ripped from the context of the internet where we hear about rape, murder and sexism as either humour (black or satirical) or exaggeration), but it can not be denied it got born due to gaming culture's apathy towards the idea of only showing anger towards things that matter.

Is it news-worthy that a news website is using video-games as a scape-goat for a massacre? No, this happens so much it's common knowledge it happens. Is it news-worthy a news website cherry-picked someone who can be perceived as a professional, despite said person would not have their opinion ever considered in the academic nor political sphere? No. However, despite this news report not affecting anyone at all, it still got posted and it's still being taunted as though it's an abhorrent thing, as though this news article will be the one article that will change everything. Hell, even if this was a "point and laugh at the stupid ignorant news website", it's worth nothing that while this has been reported, this article about a news program getting shocked at the idea of women playing video games isn't [http://kotaku.com/5991151/breaking-girls-play-video-games-local-news-discovers]. Even if the intention was to point and laugh, and I have to admit to the Escapist this is an article type that reaps in page views and comments, everyone just takes things like this WAY too seriously.

 

[DragonStorm247]

Likely. But there are people who actually hear this crap and ignorantly nod their heads. It perpetuates until enough people start believing it, and then you get someone who DOES matter spouting this nonsense.

Idiocy is a plague, and must be dealt with accordingly. Whenever a claim like this outbreaks, publicly denounce it, prevent it from spreading further.

Not only people who ignorant nod their head in agreement, but those who shake their head furiously in disagreement. Over what exactly? It's things like this that does make video-gamers create their own monsters, because as soon as someone suggests that video-games are not perfect they scream and throw faeces against the wall. This is despite the people in question affecting absolutely nothing. One only has to notice Anita Sarkeesian to really get a full understanding of how this culture seems to lose their mind at the slightest thing. I think there's a decent chunk of misunderstanding and painting a desired picture (i.e. Anita cherry-picked comments that would come off as abhorrent, ripped from the context of the internet where we hear about rape, murder and sexism as either humour (black or satirical) or exaggeration), but it can not be denied it got born due to gaming culture's apathy towards the idea of only showing anger towards things that matter.

Is it news-worthy that a news website is using video-games as a scape-goat for a massacre? No, this happens so much it's common knowledge it happens. Is it news-worthy a news website cherry-picked someone who can be perceived as a professional, despite said person would not have their opinion ever considered in the academic nor political sphere? No. However, despite this news report not affecting anyone at all, it still got posted and it's still being taunted as though it's an abhorrent thing, as though this news article will be the one article that will change everything. Hell, even if this was a "point and laugh at the stupid ignorant news website", it's worth nothing that while this has been reported, this article about a news program getting shocked at the idea of women playing video games isn't [http://kotaku.com/5991151/breaking-girls-play-video-games-local-news-discovers]. Even if the intention was to point and laugh, and I have to admit to the Escapist this is an article type that reaps in page views and comments, everyone just takes things like this WAY too seriously.

Hold on, one is not the same as the other. I fully support discussion, and I personally avoid knee jerk responses, taking the time to read the sources and fact check. To refer to your example, I have absolutely no problem with Anita Sarkeesian; I may not completely agree with everything she has to say, but in no way do I condone the vile, thoughtless response that spawned.

This is different.

Like it or not, this was said by someone with an authority position and by an organization *many consider* to be a reliable source of information. These are people who's job is to report and act on facts.

Cop Blames Videogames For Sandy Hook Massacre

"They believe that (Lanza) believed that it was the way to pick up the easiest points. It's why he didn't want to be killed by law enforcement," he continued. "In the code of a gamer, even a deranged gamer like this little bastard, if somebody else kills you, they get your points. They believe that's why he killed himself."

Permalink

Now, am I surprised by this display of ignorance? Not in the slightest. And that's the problem. I used to be able to laugh this kind of thing off, but its gotten to the point where I can no longer stomach it. The joke has been repeated to death and is no longer amusing. The pattern needs to stop.

As for this specific case, this goes beyond a misguided opinion. That is an utter lie with absolutely no basis in reality, and must be publicly treated as such. Years ago Jack Thompson made the claim that GTA awards you "points" for murdering prostitutes. Today, that claim is widely reported as "long known fact". Arguments in support of various legislation (which actually does have an effect on everyone) used such "knowledge" as their defense.

How long until this "Gamer Code" is established as a well known entity proven to exist?

 

[soren7550]

Welp, here's something that doesn't improve how dumb this is (yes, it gets worse): the front page story of today's Daily News is them demanding the stop of 'glorified murder simulators' thanks to their 'exclusive report' on how it's all video games fault for that shooting.

To think, the Daily News used to be good.

 

[lacktheknack]

I didn't learn such "advanced tactics" from video games... I applied common logic to video games...

Ah well. What's one more?

 

[Giyguy]

well, what about all the violence on TV? what about the horrible things said on the radio? what about the horrible words in books? what about the horrible things drawn in art?

humanity has done the blame game tango on all of the things I just mentioned, and none of it is valid. neither is this police officer's argument against video games.

"Veteran police officer" does not mean "veteran shrink"

oh, and I bet he doesn't even exist. just another news outlet trying to stir up shit. just like Fox news.

 

[mitchell271]

Videogames cause me to be a mass murderer? Porn creates rapists? And, for the sake of completion, metal makes Satanists? By that reasoning, I'm going to be a murderous, Satan-worshipping rapist. Yes, because an introverted slightly misanthropic and currently depressed 18 year old guy is totally going to become that.

Actually, when I put it that way, it doesn't sound great.

Still, finding games in someone's house is ubiquitous now. If a videogame makes a mass murderer, then literally everyone I know is going to be a mass murderer.

captcha: my bad. Yea, for the first part, a little bit.

 

[Scrythe]

The officer said Lanza learned some of the techniques he used in his attack from videogames, including the "tactical reload" - reloading before your current clip empties - and switching to a handgun when the strap broke on his AR-15 rifle. "Classic police training," he said. "Or something you learn playing kill games."

"These guns, one of them an AR-15, in the hands of a violent, insane gamer. It was like porn to a rapist," the unnamed officer claimed. "They feed on it until they go out and say, enough of the video screen. Now I'm actually going to be a hunter."

First of all, anyone who has every fired a gun in their life doesn't do that "tactical reload" bullshit. A cop should fucking know that. No one in their right mind would empty half of their mag then discard it for a fresh one.

Secondly, considering that the reports show that Lanza used handguns (and only handguns) during the shootings, this highlights the fact that this officer pulled every single bit out of this - especially in regards to the AT-15 - straight from his ass.

Thirdly, how in the hell can this guy just automatically assume intricate, specific details about the incident that only eye-witness or officers directly involved with the investigation can know (i.e. the strap breaking)?

And finally, if we're running the assumption that video games magically turn everyone who plays them into psychotic murderous rapists (or however the fuck he tried to word that), that would mean millions of people around the world are an immediate threat to society. And that includes, if we're sticking the the general term of "gamer", grandmothers and your cat.

 

[Evil Smurf]

So because I play SR3, I'll become a mass murderer and kill with a dildo?

 

[Raige]

A wise man once said, "Youthful paragons of self-control are called nasty names and decide that murder would be the wittiest comeback and then is found to have stood next to a video game at some point in the past. Then the media generally start drooling the usual uninformed questions as to whether wholesome boyish pretend violence has any correlation with the real world. Short answer: No. Long answer: No, and go f--- yourselves, you ignorant scare-mongering cockbags."

This gem of wisdom gives a very deep and emotional connection to every shooting victim.

Also the fact that Lanza's favorite game was DDR. DDR is about dancing. Dancing occurs in clubs. Clubs are mostly in cities. Cities have the most crime; therefore, dancing causes crime. Watch out for this rising trend, folks.
99% of all rapists, killers, pedophiles and kidnappers have all danced.

Stay safe, and remember: If you see a newlywed couple dancing at their wedding, don't talk to them and call the police immediately. They're likely highly aggressive and violent.

 

[unstabLized]

A wise man once said, "Youthful paragons of self-control are called nasty names and decide that murder would be the wittiest comeback and then is found to have stood next to a video game at some point in the past. Then the media generally start drooling the usual uninformed questions as to whether wholesome boyish pretend violence has any correlation with the real world. Short answer: No. Long answer: No, and go f--- yourselves, you ignorant scare-mongering cockbags."

This gem of wisdom gives a very deep and emotional connection to every shooting victim.

Also the fact that Lanza's favorite game was DDR. DDR is about dancing. Dancing occurs in clubs. Clubs are mostly in cities. Cities have the most crime; therefore, dancing causes crime. Watch out for this rising trend, folks.
99% of all rapists, killers, pedophiles and kidnappers have all danced.

Stay safe, and remember: If you see a newlywed couple dancing at their wedding, don't talk to them and call the police immediately. They're likely highly aggressive and violent.

I can tell you're gonna be a good member for this site.. Happy 1st post!

OT: You know, after some guy on the news blamed Starcraft, an RTS game, for the whole thing, I just gave up. This doesn't surprise me one bit. Almost every single word out of this guy's mouth is a bunch of bullshit, so I don't think I should even try and dissect what the hell he's saying. Instead, I'm just going to cry at the amount of stupidity that can come out of a single person.

*Cries in a corner*

 

[kouriichi]

We need to design a game using all of the misconceptions and terrible views the ignorant population portrays them with, so they have legitimate grounds to complain on.

Its a 3rd Person Modern Shooter Hack&Slash Fantasy MMO FPS with 10 year old graphics about Illegal Whaling, running over grandmothers, subjugation of females, tactically assaulting defenseless locations and murdering cops with "Easily Acquirable Assault Rifles" with Tutorials on Bombmaking. End goal of the game is to murder other players for their Points (subjugated women and skulls of aborted children) and then kill yourself so no one can take them from you.