The Hill
Video game lobby silent through post-shooting scrutiny by lawmakers
Because the ratings system is entirely voluntary, some lawmakers say it is not enough to protect children from the harmful effects of virtual violence…
But it is unclear whether Congress could pass any restrictions that would pass muster with the courts.
Last year, the Supreme Court struck down a California law that banned the sale of violent video games to minors, ruling that the ban violated the constitutional right to free speech.
“Like the protected books, plays and movies that preceded them, video games communicate ideas — and even social messages,” Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in the court’s opinion.
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Schadenfreude on December 20, 2012 at 1:02 PM
And this – then contact the ACLU, leftards.
Schadenfreude on December 20, 2012 at 1:03 PM
All who are silent on their constitutional rights deserve to perish.
Schadenfreude on December 20, 2012 at 1:03 PM
It is time we ban high capacity hard drives. All they allow is for the senseless mowing down enemy soldiers or covenant elite.
Gatsu on December 20, 2012 at 1:04 PM
Where are the trolls who were having a Category 5 hissy fit about the NRA’s apparent silence on the matter?
Probably too busy playing Halo or Call of Duty to post.
CurtZHP on December 20, 2012 at 1:10 PM
What possible restrictions can you place on video games that would prevent this? Wasn’t the guy 20 years old? Are they suggesting 20 year olds shouldn’t be allowed to play Halo or Black Ops?
CookeyD on December 20, 2012 at 1:14 PM
Ideas have consequences. For most people that play these games they are grounded enough that the consequences are minimal. But like drugs and alcohol you get a certain few that the consequences are far more severe. That is part of the price of freedom. We cannot make a society that is totally consequence free no matter how hard the progressives try.
chemman on December 20, 2012 at 1:17 PM
According to liberals, 20 year olds are still children (at least, when it come to health care – excluding abortions which they feel should be allowed for 12 year olds without parental notification).
Bitter Clinger on December 20, 2012 at 1:20 PM
Yea, and ‘Catcher in the Rye’ caused John Lennon to be killed, so ban all ‘dangerous’ books too, right?
Meric1837 on December 20, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Do that and they will next simply be leaping off high ledges and stabbing folks in the neck. Just look in heaps of hay or leaves to catch them afterwards.
lucyvanpelt on December 20, 2012 at 1:26 PM
Anybody hear about the kid in SD who shot another kid over a paintball argument?
http://news.yahoo.com/sd-teen-dies-shooting-paintball-argument-024442952.html?bcmt_s=m#ugccmt-container
To me, it’s pretty much a straight-line from first person shooter video games to paintball to killing a human. I was always taught not to point my weapon at anything I didn’t intend to shoot. Never shoot unless you intend to kill. These kinds of games go completely contrary to that training. But then, what kind of training ARE they doing?
Mitoch55 on December 20, 2012 at 1:26 PM
They’re hoping to be eaten last.
JeffWeimer on December 20, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Don’t forget Taxi Driver inspiring John Hinckley.
Doughboy on December 20, 2012 at 1:28 PM
Has it been confirmed that she filed for conservatorship with plans to have him committed? I read one story that no papers had been filed, but who knows how well any news organization verified this. Until the media confirms it, Flashman, who knows this because he’s “been told” of it, is just the neighborhood’s Gladys Kravitz to me.
I’m a little disappointed that FoxNews put that story out, unverified. Exclusive, my a$$, what are they a gossip column or a news organization.
Dusty on December 20, 2012 at 1:29 PM
Before we ban anything (or blame video games) it probably makes sense to actually establish that video games are causing aggression and/or violence.
There have been studies that show that while playing violent games increases aggression in the players, it also decreases their criminal activity.
Other studies have shown that if people team up in those violent video games and work together, there’s actually an increase in cooperative behavior later on rather than aggressive behavior.
Perhaps there are other studies out there that show the opposite; however, that would indicate that more research is needed.
JadeNYU on December 20, 2012 at 1:33 PM
No need to look, we can just question any cows, chickens, or horses that happen to be at the scene.
Gatsu on December 20, 2012 at 1:35 PM
In less than a week we’ve seen a kneejerk reaction against the first two Amendments to our constitution. I’m amazed at the foresight of the Founding Fathers to understand, centuries ago, the need for those Amendments.
In times of emotional panic and tragedy, people will willingly surrender their freedoms for the illusion of safety. This week has been a case study of that behavior.
Meric1837 on December 20, 2012 at 1:38 PM
[Mitoch55 on December 20, 2012 at 1:26 PM]
Weird story. According to the story, the witness states the killer wrestled with another kid over paintball, then went and got a shotgun and pointed it at the witness (who wasn’t the one wrestled with) with the gun empty pulling the trigger, then again with the gun loaded as the witness was trying to leave and shot the one he wrestled with because he had put himself in the line of fire.
I can’t help but feel the story is not quite accurate or complete.
Dusty on December 20, 2012 at 1:46 PM