Talk about tone deaf.
The National Rifle Association has released a new app on the iPhone that simulates shooting practice and is being billed as appropriate for ages 4 and up.
The free game, aptly titled “Practice Range” comes just a month after the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, in which 20 children were gunned down. The powerful gun lobby argued a week after the shooting that more guns—not less—were the solution to curbing mass shootings, and went as far as blaming violent video games and movies as the “filthiest form of pornography.”
“Guns don’t kill people. Video games, the media and Obama’s budget kill people,” Wayne LaPierre argued at a press conference.
Users of thevideo game have the choice of 9 firearms and 3 “immersive shooting ranges.” Gamers are first given a pistol and an M16. For an additional $1, you can have access to weapons like AK-47s and Berettas.
Throughout the game, facts about the NRA and safety tips pop up. The targets are not people, but objects—including ones that appear to be coffins. Players are judged on accuracy, targets hit and missed shots.
Still, it’s inappropriate in light of the recent shooting, argued Rep. Rosa DeLauro on msnbc’s “Live with Thomas Roberts” on Tuesday.
“Who are these people? How could they be so insensitive as to not understand the weight of what they are doing?” the Connecticut Democrat asked.
“…Do they not understand what happened in Sandy Hook, what happens in our cities all over this nations with youngsters dying with this gun violence?”, she added, calling the NRA “out of touch.”
The game, which has a user, 3.5 star rating has a flurry of critisim from gamers too.
One user called the game “immature and distasteful.”
Another wrote, “I own 7 guns. But this teaches kids to shoot children’s coffins…And you call this a gun safety app! Shame on the NRA.”
The NRA did not immediately return requests for comment.
