Following a shooting in El Paso, Texas, American-based retail company Walmart will be pulling all signage and displays referencing violence from stores, including video games. On Aug. 3, a lone gunman entered a Walmart in El Paso, killing 22 individuals and injuring 24 more. After the El Paso shooting, another mass shooting occurred in Dayton, Ohio, leaving nine dead and 14 injured. An additional mass shooting occurred in Gilroy, California days prior to El Paso leaving three more dead and 15 wounded.
Following the latest string of shootings, lawmakers and most notably President Donald Trump put the blame on mental health in America as well as violent video games. Video games have often been used as a scapegoat when violent acts occur. The Trump administration has targeted gaming a number of times since the president took office in 2016. Back in 2018, the White House released a montage showcasing gratuitous violence in many mature games. This montage includes clips from Call of Duty, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Sniper Elite, and more.
In a report from Vice, a multitude of Walmart employees posted images on Twitter and Reddit publically revealing a notice stating that all references to violence must be removed from stores across the country. This includes movies, hunting videos in the sporting goods section, and violent video games on Xbox One or PS4 specifically. Additionally, any sort of promotional events revolving around combat-based titles or third-person shooters are to be canceled.
Since the Aug. 3 shooting occurred inside a Walmart, it would make sense that a mega-corporation wouldn't want millions of their shoppers feeling uneasy or choosing to shop someplace else due to the references of violence playing around them. Based on the images available, it's unclear how long Walmart plans to continue the ban on violent imagery in-store. In light of the debate about video games and mental health, Vox put out a chart showcasing the number of violent gun deaths in America compared to other countries that have wide access to video games like Japan, South Korea, Canada, and more. The statistical difference in the number of violent gun deaths in America when compared to a multitude of countries with the same access to violent video games is massive.
In response to Walmart, many have pointed out that the retailer is still comfortably selling guns and ammunition in-store. Ultimately, there seems to be a bigger underlying issue in America that doesn't simply revolve around the video games and films available to us. Nevertheless, this probably won't be the last time video games are scapegoated. As always, the best way to determine whether or not a game is suitable for a minor is to reference the specific title's ESRB rating.
Sources: Vice