Are Video Games Really Related To Gun Deaths

In the wake of two mass shootings in less than 24 hours that killed 30 people and injured dozens more, President Trump blamed video games, describing them as "gruesome and grisly". House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also slated the gaming industry, stating that ""the idea of these video games that dehumanize individuals to have a game of shooting individuals and others -- I've always felt that is a problem for future generations and others."

Even though some psychological organizations do state that children should not play violent video games, there is no proven connection between violence in games and mass shootings. The following infographic shows the countries with the estimated highest video game revenue this year compared to violent gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2017. U.S. gaming companies are expected to earn $36.9 billion this year, according to Newzoo, just ahead of China's $36.5 billion.

While the U.S. had 4.43 violent gun deaths per 100,000 of its population in 2017, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, China only had 0.04. Japan, another country well known for enthusiastic gaming also only had 0.04 gun deaths per 100,000 people. In South Korea, Germany, the UK, France and Canada where gaming will bring in billions of dollars this year, the death rate from guns was also extremely low compared to the United States.