Hollywood Pledges to Control Onscreen Gun Violence

JUN 13 2022·Updated SEP 20 2022

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Image credit: Getty Images [via NPR]

The Facts

In the aftermath of recent mass shootings, roughly 200 Hollywood creatives have signed a pledge promising to portray guns responsibly onscreen.
New York Post
Released by the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the letter asks Hollywood not to eliminate guns and gun violence but to be "mindful" of their depiction of onscreen weapons.
New York Post
It also promises to limit the number of scenes portraying both guns and children, along with scenes of adults properly locking their guns away.
NPR
So far, the open letter has been signed by Hollywood talents such as Judd Apatow, Debbie Allen, Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Lawrence, Adam McKay, Shonda Rhimes, Mark Ruffalo, and Amy Schumer.
NPR

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

This is an important step in the right direction. Film and media are often a direct source of inspiration for gun violence, and Hollywood has a basic moral responsibility not to romanticize something that so often leads to tragic consequences in real life.

The Daily Beast

Establishment-critical narrative

Labeling filmmakers, actors, and producers "responsible" won't end gun violence. Every country has violent movies, yet none are dealing with mass shootings on a scale even close to the US. Of course Hollywood should stop romanticizing violence, but celebrity virtue signaling won't make any real difference; the only thing that will is drastic changes in policy and gun legislation.

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