Games And Guns: The NRA, Education And The Choices We Make

By Patrick Dane /

NRA: Practice Range which places the player in a shooting range. The product description introduces the product as, "Meet NRA: Practice Range €“ the National Rifle Association€™s new mobile nerve center, delivering one-touch access to the NRA network of news, laws, facts, knowledge, safety tips, educational materials and online resources." The game was originally billed as suitable for ages 4 and up, since the controversy has been shifted to 12 and up. I think it is possible to see the NRA's reasoning behind the game. By including information about laws, safety 'tips' and educational material, they are trying to educate players about gun safety so perhaps more 'accidents' could be avoided. But that leaves a huge question standing. Is normalisation of weapons really the right way to go? Do you want your child having been taught about how to 'use' or 'handle' a gun safely? That is where my strong opposition comes into it. But it is not all doom and gloom.

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