Parents and individuals affected by the Uvalde school shooting have initiated a lawsuit against Activision

Families affected by the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, have filed lawsuits against Activision and its parent company, Microsoft.

According to The New York Times, these lawsuits were initiated in both California and Texas on the second anniversary of the tragedy that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

The legal action also targets Instagram and its parent company, Meta, as well as gun manufacturer Daniel Defense, accusing them of contributing to the 18-year-old assailant's progression toward violence.

The complaint identifies Activision as a major marketer of assault weapons in the United States, referencing claims of gun placements in the Call of Duty franchise.

The suit alleges that shortly after the shooter downloaded Call of Duty: Modern Warfare in 2021, he purchased a firearm featured in the game.

An Activision spokesperson conveyed their condolences through CBS News: "The Uvalde shooting was a horrendous and heartbreaking event. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected. Millions play video games without resulting in heinous acts."

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) also addressed the lawsuit, describing the accusations as "baseless."

"We are deeply saddened by such acts of violence, and we oppose unfounded claims linking these incidents to video games, which divert attention from addressing the real issues at hand," the ESA stated. "Other nations with similar gaming habits do not experience comparable levels of gun violence."