RFK Jr. dredges up a decades-old argument that gun violence in the U.S. could be due to violent video games

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Today, an age-old debate on gun violence has resurfaced once more. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., conducted a one-hour discussion focusing on children’s health in the nation. During this conversation, he addressed the issue of mass shootings. At some point, Kennedy proposed several potential causes behind the high incidence of gun violence in the U.S., including psychiatric medications, social media platforms, and, not surprisingly, violent video games. This topic initially came to light thanks to The Daily Beast.

Violent video games once again become a scapegoat for gun violence in the U.S.

The contention that violent video games might inspire actual violence has persisted since at least the 1990s, when the initial Doom game was launched. Yet, in spite of evidence contradicting this claim, certain commentators and policymakers continue to raise concerns about video games instead of focusing on the real problem. During an event, RFK Jr. mentioned Switzerland as a comparison, stating: “Switzerland possesses an equivalent number of firearms as we do, and their last mass shooting occurred 23 years ago…” At this point, RFK Jr. ponders potential causes, suggesting video games among other factors. The secretary has stated they are planning to conduct studies to assess the validity of these possible causes. However, even in the Switzerland comparison, RFK Jr. neglects to highlight the significant differences.

In Switzerland, the culture notably differs from that of the U.S., particularly regarding firearms. Among various distinctions, an intriguing one is the annual rifle shooting competition which, prior to the 20th century, was the largest of its kind globally. This event attracts multitudes of people, including children as young as ten, and in recent times continues to do so. In comparison, I can’t recall anything on such a grand scale happening in the U.S. when it comes to firearms events involving large numbers of participants, including children.

In contrast to the notion that Switzerland resembles a “gun paradise” like the United States in terms of lax firearm regulations, it’s crucial to understand that while Switzerland does have a high rate of gun ownership, these weapons are stringently controlled. The culture surrounding guns in Switzerland is primarily linked to national defense rather than individual rights or personal protection, similar to much of U.S. gun ownership.

In other aspects, let’s delve deeper into the video game aspect of it all. Contrary to popular belief, a study conducted by the University of Oxford in 2019 revealed that violent video games do not foster aggression. Leading the research was Professor Andrew Przybylski, who stated emphatically: “The extensive body of research has failed to provide substantial evidence supporting the notion that there is a reason for concern regarding this topic among parents and policymakers.

Hey RFK Jr., I’ve got to tell you as a passionate supporter of safety and well-being, I’d like to ask you to cross video games off the suspect list, if you will. The research on whether violent video games lead to real-life violence hasn’t shown any significant link. Instead, let’s channel our efforts towards more productive areas, such as:

1. Implementing thorough background checks for potential gun buyers.
2. Strengthening restrictions on who can acquire automatic weapons.
3. Initiating a cultural shift and reevaluating our society’s relationship with guns.

By focusing on these areas, I truly believe we could make substantial strides in promoting safety and reducing violence.

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2025-09-11 03:03