Reader: Glamorizing Guns Turns Them Into a Toy -- Like a Barbie

Our post about a toddler who was shot by another child, age five, noted that the nine-year-old who gave the gun to the kid who pulled the trigger told investigators he learned how to ready a weapon from playing Black Ops. We asked folks on Facebook if it was fair...

By Michael Roberts

August 7, 2014

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Our post about a toddler who was shot by another child, age five, noted that the nine-year-old who gave the gun to the kid who pulled the trigger told investigators he learned how to ready a weapon from playing Black Ops. We asked folks on Facebook if it was fair to blame a video game for what happened. Many pointed instead to parents, adults or guardians, but a number of readers spread the responsibility around -- including this one.

Ellie Ames writes:

Both are to blame. When you glamorize guns they become a toy just like Barbie. There has always been influence and there have always been accidents. The arrogance that some gun owners have because it's their right numbs them to the responsibility of owning a gun. Society as a whole has gone to shit!!!

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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