NRA Releases Controversial First Person Shooter Game: NRA Practice Range

Independent Journal Review ^ | 01/15/2013 | Bert Atkinson Jr.

[VRWCmember]

Just a few short weeks ago, NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre said America needs to consider the impact violent video games and movies can have on our children. He specifically noted “vicious, violent video games, with names like Bulletstorm, Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat, and Splatterhouse.” And LaPierre is correct in many ways. The NRA came out during a time in which guns were being given a crazy amount of attention and brought light to a few of the issues that were not being given an appropriate amount of attention, such as mental health issues and entertainment violence.

However, it does not appear that the NRA is doing themselves any favors with their newest move of releasing a first person shooter game called” NRA: Practice Range.”

Now, however, the NRA is offering its own self-branded video game for free to the public: “NRA: Practice Range,” which is available for free on the iPhone and iPad. The game is rated for ages four and up…

In addition to news, the app also has “a 3D shooting game that instills safe and responsible ownership through fun challenges and realistic simulations. It strikes the right balance of gaming and safety education.”

The game is not 100 percent similar to the violent games LaPierre condemned after the Newtown shooting, but this is a PR nightmare any way you look at it. Sure, there are no people-targets to shoot, but it’s a first person shooting game, released by the organization that just made a gigantic public speech about first person shoot-em-up games, debuting one month after a massacre for which many Americans blame the NRA. I know this game is supposed to be about gun safety, but I’m just not sure there’s an app to replace that.

The NRA could have done themselves – and responsible gun owners worried about their Second Amendment rights – a huge favor by saying that they were going to start a national campaign to educate Americans about gun safety, or by donating funding to mental health awareness. But instead they release a video game that is virtually the same thing they just condemned.

Marketing – I’m not saying don’t release the video game that does have good gun safety intentions, but part of a marketing strategy is timing, and I can assure you that the NRA has ruffled some feathers they would not have ruffled if they had simply waited a little bit. This will probably not really affect any legislation, but it will not help get any more people on the NRA’s side.

UPDATE:

Many commenters are upset with this post. I didn’t make my ultimate point as clear as I should have.

I wholeheartedly stand behind the Second Amendment. Guns have been a part of my life since I was a small child sitting next to my father and grandfather in duck blinds, deer stands, and shooting ranges. I have shot these “assault rifles” countless times, and have gone through the formal and informal gun safety courses both in and out of class rooms. I don’t want guns to be banned in any way.

There are many people in Congress that are running their mouths about things they don’t know about. They act like an assault weapons ban and limitations on magazine size will magically cure America of all its problems, and they are speaking with a very loud microphone at the American people. Because of this, the NRA needs the absolute most amount of support it can get right now.

The NRA’s main goal right now should be to garner support for and from responsible gun owners. I’m just not sure releasing this game is the best way to do that. Sure, it was well intentioned, but it invites the sort of criticism that defenders of the Second Amendment don’t necessarily need at the moment. Just look at the cover of this New York Daily News publication. Do you think this helps or hurts the NRA’s cause?

Like I said in the original post, the NRA could have done a few things differently to win over the American public. They could have embarked on a nationwide ‘NRA Gun Safety Tour’ in order to promote the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership. Instead, they released a video game that is getting terrible reviews and that has opened themselves up for criticism.

I, for one, wish there was a headline story on the New York Daily News that had a positive story about the NRA and all they do for responsible gun ownership.

[JaguarXKE]

“controversial” how, exactly?

Simple. Anything a liberal turd doesn't agree with is controversial.

[VRWCmember]

In LIMITED defense of the author, he is trying to make a point, but in doing so he really misses the point.

The NRA’s main goal right now should be to garner support for and from responsible gun owners. I’m just not sure releasing this game is the best way to do that. Sure, it was well intentioned, but it invites the sort of criticism that defenders of the Second Amendment don’t necessarily need at the moment. Just look at the cover of this New York Daily News publication. Do you think this helps or hurts the NRA’s cause?

So, I can see what he is saying. BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND:
Rather than criticizing the NRA, he should have taken the NY Daily News to task for its very inaccurate representation of this game/app on the following counts:
1. The target is not shaped like a coffin but is instead shaped like a standard shooting range profile target. If anything, the shape of the target resembles a cocktail mixing bottle (that reminds me, I could use a margarita right now) and NOT a coffin.
2. This is a free app, so the users don't PAY to simulate their range practice time.
3. The timing has nothing to do with the NRA launching this new game which has gone through extensive development, code evaluation by the Apple/iTunes techies, application of the ratings criteria to determine the 4-Years+ rating (assigned by Apple, not the NRA).

[philetus]

Seems to only be available for available for Iphone, Ipad?

[papertyger]

They should have released an educational game with patriots killing tyrants journalists.

There, fixed it for ya...

[papertyger]

The NRA’s main goal right now should be to garner support for and from responsible gun owners.

The NRA HAS the support of responsible gun owners.

What they don't have is the blessing of every candy assed journalist looking for a problem to have.....