Lawsuits Filed Against Instagram, Activision, Daniel Defense Over Uvalde Shooting
Families of the victims of the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, have filed two significant lawsuits on the second anniversary of the tragic event.
The lawsuits target Instagram, the publisher of the “Call of Duty” video game, and a manufacturer of semiautomatic rifles, accusing them of contributing to the gunman’s actions.
The suits claim these companies played a role in “grooming” the shooter by exposing him to violent content and firearms marketing. One lawsuit, filed in California, names Activision, the publisher of “Call of Duty,” and suggests that the video game served as a form of advertising for the rifle used in the massacre. It argues that the game’s realistic depictions of firearms influenced the shooter, making Activision a significant promoter of assault weapons.
The other lawsuit, filed in Texas, focuses on Daniel Defense, the gunmaker, and Oasis Outback, the gun store where the shooter purchased his rifle.
The suit alleges that Daniel Defense violated Texas law by marketing to the gunman before he turned 18 and aggressively targeted young customers through social media and the “Call of Duty” game.
These legal actions further argue that platforms like Instagram enable firearms marketing to young and vulnerable individuals, bypassing advertising bans through influencers and organic content.
The lawsuits face significant legal challenges, including protections for online platforms under Section 230 and broad protections for gun makers from liability.
However, the families hope to overcome these hurdles by focusing on the marketing practices that, they argue, contributed to the tragic events in Uvalde.
