sandy hook

Tech investors funding ideas to reduce gun violence

SAN FRANCISCO--On the three-month anniversary of the Sandy Hook tragedy, leaders in the technology community are taking up the cause of the fight against gun violence.

At a press conference today here, members of the Sandy Hook Promise, a grassroots organization formed by the Newtown community where 26 lives were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School, were joined by San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and tech investor Ron Conway to announce new initiatives to address gun violence with technology and innovation.

"Today, we are announcing we will harness innovation to bring solutions to gun safety, mental health and school … Read more

Facebook grapples with pages exploiting Newtown victims

Government officials and family members of victims from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting have asked Facebook to delete several offensive posts or tribute pages related to the massacre, according to the Associated Press.

Authorities have said that many of the Facebook pages are being used to berate survivors and victims' families, while others are fraudulently asking for funeral fund donations.

"Certainly there have been many, too many, of these pages that are intimidating or harassing or exploitive," U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal told the Associated Press.

Facebook has responded saying that it will work to remove the … Read more

Ralph Nader: Video game firms are 'electronic child molesters'

Not one to keep his opinion to himself, former presidential candidate Ralph Nader has come down hard on video games. In fact, he has gone as far as to call the companies that make them "electronic child molesters."

In an interview with Politico yesterday, Nader blasted President Obama's gun control package that was unveiled last week. The two-time Green Party presidential candidate said that the president's plan needs to go further in regulating video game creators that add violence to their games.

"Television program violence? Unbelievable. Video game violence? Unprecedented," Nader told Politico. "… Read more

NRA targets iPhone with shooting game

The National Rifle Association has launched a mobile shooting game amid furor over gun violence.

NRA: Practice Range is designed for iPhone and iPad users who want a little virtual target practice. The free game offers a variety of handguns and rifles that you can use to shoot at targets indoors or outdoors. Simply pick your weapon of choice and then tap the screen to fire at the targets.

The indoor level is easiest as the targets don't move, while the two outdoor levels require you to shoot at skeets and other moving targets.

The launch of the app may seem ill-timed at best and hypocritical at worst given the nation's current mindset over guns and the NRA's recent response.… Read more