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SALT LAKE CITY — After criticizing the video game industry for promoting violence, the National Rifle Association has released an app where users can take target practice on their iPhone or iPad.
The app, NRA: Practice Range, which was released Sunday, is intended to promote safety, training and education about guns and "puts the NRA's broad scope of resources in the palm of your hand — with 2nd Amendment newsfeeds, gun law information centers and educational materials that you can access anywhere, anytime," according to the app's description on iTunes.
The app is free, but for 99 cents users can upgrade their M9 for a Beretta, Browning or Colt handgun. Users can choose between indoor, outdoor or skeet shooting. According to the iTunes ratings system, the app is appropriate for users who are at least 4 years old.
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On Dec. 21, addressing the Sandy Hook massacre, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre criticized the video game industry for promoting violence: "Guns don't kill people. Video games, the media and Obama's budget kill people," LaPierre said. "There exists in this country, sadly, a callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells and stows violence against its own people, through vicious, violent video games with names like ‘Bulletstorm,' ‘Grand Theft Auto,' ‘Mortal Kombat' and ‘Splatterhouse.' "
Although the NRA's app only allows users to practice at a target range, many are criticizing the NRA for being hypocritical, releasing the game only weeks after LaPierre's statement.
A call from the NRA has not been returned.
Glenn Beck theme park?
Last week, Glenn Beck revealed his new plan for America: Independence, USA, which is a "city-theme park hybrid." The park is projected to cost over $2 billion and will have its own media, live events, small business stores, educational projects, technology and news.
With the rest of the country and the world going away from the values of freedom, responsibility and truth, Independence would be a place built on the very foundation of those principles.
–Statement about Independence, USA
"With the rest of the country and the world going away from the values of freedom, responsibility and truth, Independence would be a place built on the very foundation of those principles," says a statement on Beck's website.
The statement adds that Independence would be a place for "families to bring their children to be inspired," and would be a new alternative to theme parks like Disneyland.
"Disneyland was originally intended to be a place where people would find happiness, inspiration, courage and hope. Over time, Walt Disney's original vision has been lost. While hundreds of thousands still flock to the town, it's become commercialized and the big dreams and the heart have been compromised."
Independence, USA is still a dream for Beck, but he plans to highlight various projects that will "tie to this one place that currently exists only in Glenn's vision."
