A year after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, a law firm representing the victims’ families has filed wrongful death lawsuits against Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Activision, and Daniel Defense. These lawsuits allege that these companies collaborated to market guns, specifically the AR-15 rifle used in the Uvalde shooting, to teenagers.
The shooting, which occurred two years ago, resulted in the deaths of 19 students and two teachers. The lawsuits claim that companies like Meta’s Instagram and Activision’s military game series, “Obligations,” played a role in promoting weapons like those made by Daniel Defense to young people.
Josh Koskoff, a partner at Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, stated that there is a direct link between the actions of these companies and the Uvalde shooting. The lawsuits accuse Meta and Microsoft, as well as Activision, of aiding firearms manufacturers in expanding their market by providing unrestricted access to children through their products.
Meta’s Instagram is accused of giving gun manufacturers a platform to reach minors, while Activision’s games are criticized for creating a realistic and addictive environment where teenagers learn to kill with ease. Both companies have faced legal action for their alleged roles in the tragedy.
The lawsuit against Daniel Defense focuses on the company’s use of social media and video game simulations to attract teenagers to its products. The gun maker has yet to respond to these allegations.
In response to the lawsuits, Activision expressed condolences for the victims of the Uvalde shooting and emphasized that millions of people enjoy video games without resorting to violence. Meta, Microsoft, and Daniel Defense have not commented on the legal action.
The families of the school shooting victims recently reached a $2 million settlement with the city of Uvalde and are pursuing a separate lawsuit against 92 Texas Department of Public Safety officers for alleged inaction during the massacre.
Overall, these lawsuits highlight the complex relationship between media, technology, and gun violence, raising important questions about corporate responsibility and the impact of popular culture on societal behavior. The legal battles that follow this tragic event will likely have far-reaching implications for the companies involved and the broader conversation around gun control and youth violence prevention.
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https://seekingalpha.com/news/4110463-families-of-uvalde-school-shooting-victims-sue-instagram-activision