US Senator, Someone Who Was Actually Elected, Says Video Games Are More Dangerous Than Guns
By Joseph Christ on January 31st, 2013 (19 comments)
Let's not get into the gun debate cause -you know- we're a video game website...not a gun website. We 'Pew Pew' here, not 'Bang, Bang'.
Having said that however, I can't just let this one go. I first saw this on the Political blogs but it was also picked up by Kotaku as well. This is a video of an actual United States Senator, someone who was voted into office and probably makes more money than you could ever hope to, saying that video games are more dangerous than guns.
Yes, your fake, pixelated toys -the ones that do not even have a weight or mass in the real world- are more dangerous than actual guns that shoot actual bullets that go into real people.
This is a thing in American politics now, and as the gun-control debate continues, this will be presented as the safe-harbor argument for those who really don't want to add anything to the discussion, and are instead more interested in protecting the gun manufacturers who are surely spilling money into their campaign coffers like the Exxon Valdez.
Over the next few months you should steel yourself for becoming an ardent defender of your favorite hobby. Rational voices are needed in this discussion.
Joseph Christ
Joseph Christ is the Reviews Editor and a Podcast Personality at 4Player. Specializing in reviews, editorials, drinking, and saying inappropriate things about gaming franchises that are beloved by millions, his satirical and sometimes edgy style offsets a more serious and penetrating substance lurking below the surface. He is also the host of the Cocktail Time Podcast. You'll follow his Twitter if you know what's good for you.
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kids should shoot at eachother with real guns of course, it's much safer
Link / ReplyPart of the problem is that people aren't educated enough in the studies that have already been done to show that games don't cause violence in people. Secondly, you have to look at the generation that are in office right now. When they grew up they didn't have video games. If in 50 years the video game industry is still present, I guarantee you that the game industry would have a lot more politicians to come to the defense of video games.
Link / Reply"Secondly, you have to look at the generation that are in office right now. When they grew up they didn't have video games." I can't be the only one that thinks this is a problem? For a country like ours, with so many diverse sub-cultures and societies, how can we expect to be fairly represented when only one or two demographics are represented by Congress? We need more young people in Congress. We need more people with experience in Science, Education, Psychology, Sociology... Not just a bunch of lawyers and businessmen.
Link / ReplyWould be nice if they did that, but THAT'S too smart of an idea. Hell I am a psychologist in training, I would love to get there, but nooooo. They way of the world is quite different.
Link / ReplyDidn't a story come out where a 69 year old man shot a 20 year old in the head for a young couple pulling up in his driveway? Good thing the old man didn't invite them to play some Mario Party, or else it would've been a MASSACRE! God damn.
Link / ReplyAnd then he got shot in the face by Dick Cheney.
Link / ReplyIn my opinion, the government should spend more of their time and money on controlling video games rather than controlling guns or psychopaths.
Link / ReplyOn top of this guy we have Senator Leland Yee coming forward again to tell gamers we have no role in this discussion, alongside that bill being pushed by Matheson to ban the sale of violent games to minors. I don't think we have to worry too much, unless I'm just putting too much faith in rationality winning out.
Link / ReplyDid this guy ever play a video game ever?
Link / ReplyI don't want to live on this planet anymore. I've given up on thoroughly following this issue due to lack of evidence each side provides in arguments. I've also noticed many of those wanting to keep their large amounts of weapons start to laugh or smile during debates, showing no respect to individuals who have been victims to gun violence. Also, I have yet to find an actual response to the commonly asked question, Why would a citizen need a military-grade rifle? Typically, the response is avoided by bringing up the issue on how, specifically, video games (not other forms of media or entertainment) are the main cause of massacres.
Link / Reply"Video games is affect people." Whereas guns do not. Tbh I was thinking it was going to be a senator from my state. Dunno if KS is more backwards than TN. Also, each time this shit pops up I will link to this from now on: LOOK AT OUR VIOLENCE. http://www.childsplaycharity.org/
Link / ReplyYes lets start to rearm our soldiers with video games not guns. Man that has got to be the stupidest thing i have ever heard say and I would know what stupid is I drove my car into a river because i forgot how deep it was. <-< may have been drunk but don't need to get into that story. I have a big problem because I'm a victim of gun violence like I'm sure some people in out community are and I would like to hear one of them say that they think is more dangerous. You don't fight a war with video games your fight them with guns for a reason. Well I'm ranting so I'll stop for today.
Link / ReplyAt least he considers us people. Who wants to place bets on the amount of time before he apologizes for his statement and "clarifies" what he said.
Link / ReplyDid he even hear the question!? I still can't believe that politicians have been crying wolf over video games for years. I bet these unconstitutional bills to control selling violent video games to children will cost millions of tax dollars, even though I witnessed a parent/gaurdian buying their kid GUN at a gamestop. The clerk asked if the said gaurdian were okay with what was listed for an M-rated game like violence, sexual themes, etc. and the parent said yes.
Link / ReplyThis is pretty much a bipartisan supported fallacy. Representatives from both sides of the isle blame video games, television, and music for violent behavior, instead of blaming the people that actually commit crimes for their actions. The only thing I can think of is that these senators can't bring themselves to believe that there are people out there that would actively choose to do horrible things.
Link / ReplyBy the bloody burning hells and rotting heavens -.-*..... Have politicians really started comparing video games to gun violence....just to avoid the real issues plaguing our country. Dear gods I can't believe how pathetic/senile their generation has become
Link / ReplyCant wait until this stupid generation that is running this country dies out
Link / ReplyJust another babbling moron in congress, there's nothing new there.
Link / Replya good gun is a banned gun
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