Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has spoken out against the GOP’s suggestion that video games were partially to blame for the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, saying: “Video games aren’t causing mass shootings, white supremacy is.”
AOC posted the message in response to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who appeared on Fox News following the El Paso and Dayton shootings to express concern over violent video games. McCarthy stated that violent video games were “a problem for future generations and others,” adding: “When you look at these photos of how (the El Paso shooting) took place, you can see the actions within video games and others.”
At least 20 people were killed in a Walmart on Saturday, with more than two dozen injured. A separate attack in Dayton on Sunday killed nine, despite police reporting to the scene and stopping the shooter in less than 30 seconds (via CNN).
The 21-year-old behind the El Paso shooting reportedly posted his manifesto to 8chan, with him stating his support for the alt-right Christchurch terrorist who carried out attacks in two New Zealand mosques.
Despite the El Paso shooter making his motivations clear, McCarthy pointed to video games as part of the problem.
“The idea of these video games, they dehumanize individuals to have a game of shooting individuals and others,” the Republican said in the interview with Fox News.
AOC called out McCarthy’s comments on Twitter, saying that the GOP refuses to acknowledge the shooter’s white supremacy because “their strategy relies on rallying a white supremacist base.”
“That’s why the President hosts stadiums of people chanting “send her back”& targets Congress-members of color,” she concluded.
The tweet can be viewed below:
Video games aren’t causing mass shootings, white supremacy is.
Sadly the GOP refuse to acknowledge that, bc their strategy relies on rallying a white supremacist base.
That‘s why the President hosts stadiums of people chanting “send her back”& targets Congress-members of color. https://t.co/8F51h46bOO
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 4, 2019
McCarthy’s comments echoed those of Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who called for federal action against the gaming industry in the wake of the shootings.
“How long are we going to ignore — at the federal level particularly — where they can do something about the video game industry,” Patrick said in an interview on Fox & Friends Mediaite(via ). “In this manifesto that we believe is from the shooter, this manifesto where he talks about living out his super-soldier fantasy on Call of Duty. We know the video game industry is bigger than the movie and music industry combined.”
Patrick referred to a comment in the shooter’s manifesto referencing Call of Duty, which reads: “Remember: it is not cowardly to pick low hanging fruit. AKA Don’t attack heavily guarded areas to fulfill your super soldier COD fantasy. Attack low security targets.”
The mass shootings have prompted more calls for tighter gun control in the US. President Donald Trump tweeted that “Republicans and Democrats must come together and get strong background checks, perhaps marrying this legislation with desperately needed immigration reform.” He then went on to blame the media, adding: “Fake News has contributed greatly to the anger and rage that has built up over many years. News coverage has got to start being fair, balanced and unbiased, or these terrible problems will only get worse!”
Trump is scheduled to give a speech at 10 AM addressing the shootings.
