Bill that called for a study of violent games killed upon end of 112th Congressional session; West Virginia senator plans to reintroduce measure by end of the month.
West Virginia senator Jay Rockefeller's bill that called for a study into the effects of violent games on children died when the 112th Congressional session ended January 3.
A Rockefeller staffer told Polygon that the senator plans to resubmit the bill--with its language unchanged--to Congress during the current session, likely sometime by the end of the month.
Introduced last month just days after the December 14 schoolhouse shooting in Newtown, Conn., the bill would task the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to study the effects of violent video games and other programs on children.
"Major corporations, including the video game industry, make billions on marketing and selling violent content to children," Rockefeller said at the time. "They have a responsibility to protect our children. If they do not, you can count on the Congress to take a more aggressive role."
The bill would direct the NAS to conduct a "comprehensive study and investigation" of the link between violent games and other violent video programming and harmful effects on children. More specifically, the NAS would be charged with looking into whether or not video games/programming cause children to act aggressively or "otherwise hurt their wellbeing," and if so, determine if that effect is notably distinguishable from other types of media.
This study would also look at the "direct and long-lasting impact" of violent content on a child's well-being. If the bill passes, NAS must submit a report on its study within 18 months to Congress as well as the FTC and FCC.
Rockefeller's bill is just one part of the ongoing discussion in Washington about games in the wake of the deadly Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left 20 children and six adults dead. Earlier this week, New Jersey governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) said on national television that violent video games must be examined as part of a comprehensive effort to reduce gun violence in the United States.
Additionally, National Rifle Association vice president Wayne LaPierre said at a press conference last month that violent video games like Bulletstorm and Mortal Kombat were partially to blame for the shooting. California senator Leland Yee called this claim "mind-boggling."
What's more, US Vice President Joe Biden will meet with representatives from the video game industry this month to discuss the role of violent games as part of a wider task force looking into the role of violent media in mass shootings.
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
Just wondering- do most of the people here agree with enforcing ESRB ratings with legal backing, like we do with cigarettes and alcohol? Some game retailers take those ratings seriously (or try to) and others don't care. What do you think, Gamespotters?
Remember after Columbine it was all Marilyn Manson's fault. Let's ban violent movies, sports, books, tv and music. We're all too stupid to know how to live correctly. Please government, help us!!
So, the bill fails, and he can immediately resubmit it, unchanged, into the current session? Sounds to me it isnt just parenting thats gone downhill. This guy needs a swat in the pants and a stern "no means NO!", and potentially a fine for wasting congress time and taxpayer money. I know congress isnt a court but contempt of court sounds pretty appropriate here, as he got a decision he didnt like and is basically saying "they got it wrong, I'm going to keep pestering them until they give in"
@Jager5 Happens all the time. He didn't actually *get* a decision. There's a sub-committee that determines what bills go to what committees for review and what goes to the floor for discussion. (Sub note: this is a very powerful committee since it controls the flow of congress). Whether on purpose or just because there wasn't time, Rockefeller's bill wasn't moved anywhere. This is why they call it "dead" instead of "defeated"- no one discussed it. In fact, a lot of bills that people hear about in the news and get all upset about follow a similar life cycle. They get introduced, they get put in line to be heard or reviewed, and then they never see the floor of Congress because other more important stuff comes up or there simply isn't time.
1 Like Funny, I thought it was my responsibility to protect my children, not the game industry's. This shizz gets lamer and lamer every time.
I blame Super Mario Bros for my homicidal tendency to jump and stomp on peoples head to rescue the love of my life in a fictional kingdom...............
Question, since violent games arent sold to children (they are sold to irresponsible parents of children, who then give call of duty to their 11 year old) why the hell are we researching this? Videogames dont make me go out and kill people, anymore than 50 shades of gray makes me go out and rape women. Stupid, "knee-jerk" reactions of politicians trying to secure their chair for next year. How about we fine parents caughtgiving tthey're child violent games, starting with the Senate's and house reps children. Just a thought, since I know they wont pass that, they might face some fines....
I cannot think of any better answer to those foolish and naive enough to belive that violent games are responsible for real violence than the video that is just below the article ...... seriously people what's wrong with you??
guns do not pull their own triggers its stupid to even think banning guns has any point. Weed has been illegal for how long? How many people still do it? I think some people are too dumb to be allowed freedom of speech
dont worry in another year when the same thing happens despite whatever stupid laws they pass, they will just try to pass some law just like this again. So it goes on and on and on.
1 Like Good to hear for now. That "research" would have been a ridiculous waste of tax dollars, especially in light of the financial crisis our government has already allowed. Aside from these isolated events that get publicized, there is much less criminal violence now than there was 20 years ago. Research on how violent video games impact children will do nothing to prevent another mentally ill psycho from harming others the next time some psycho decides to do some unspeakable act.
@flickds Not to mention they've already DONE the research. They just didn't like the outcome
3 Like I wonder if the Senator encourages children to play inherently violent sports like football or hockey.
1 Like The problem today is plain and simple. Parents. Parents today want teachers to raise the kids for them. They don't want their kids looked down on so now in sports everyone wins. Parents also want their kids to belong so they buy everything, iPhones, Nikes, Call of Duty, etc. Maybe if the parents would do their actual job of raising the kids we wouldn't have these problems.
violent parents with WAR TRAUMA (YES AMERICA) ARE THE CAUSE OF YOUR VIOLENCE. (NOTHING FUCKING ELSE!)
@mark_unix What about non-violent parents with "war trauma"? Or violent parents without "war trauma"? What exactly is "war trauma"? I've been to war; it was traumatic. I'm not violent, though. Neither are my children. I'm not sure what your position is.
kids are more sensitive to pain, so if you talk allot about it your kids will be.
i'm not saying you should ignore talking about it, but you should explain violence in it's context!
4 Like Corporations do not have a responsibility at all with raising children or protecting them from their own games.
That is done with the ESRB and parents. Unfortunately parents don't typically do their job.If little Timmy wants something, he fucken gets it. Because he is such a perfect little boy who can do no wrong.
God i hate the parents of this generation.
@WolfGrey "God i hate the parents of this generation" except the parents who are gamers themselves and take an active interest in what their children want to do, including the games they wish to play, and judge appropriately what their children are mature enough to handle (and why) and play WITH them to ensure both quality time together and actual supervision instead of either ignoring it or using the game as a pacifier.
Fixed; no charge.
@WolfGrey And that would matter if games actually affected anything. I've been brought up with violent films, violent games and even some violent music and guess what, I've never even been in a fight. People should focus on the actual issue. These people are fucked in the head and need mental help. Why not focus on that instead of a bunch of spoiled kids who get what they want. Or maybe on guns?
@WolfGrey Exactly. It's parenting that has gone downhill. Bring back the belt and kids will grow up more disciplined and respectful.
@ACWH @WolfGrey Agreed 100% but I think alot of parents are afraid because if Timmy tells a teacher, neighbor, or anyone else, you get arrested. Fear is good, keeps kids in line. Yes, there is a fine line of abuse but kids have no fear or respect anymore. My dad wacked my ass with a belt, and my mom used a wooden spoon if I got out of line. I'm no worse for it and I understood consequences. Kids have none today.
"They have a responsibility to protect our children. If they do not, you can count on the Congress to take a more aggressive role."
Haven't by any chance been playing any of those pesky violence inducing video games have you Mr Rockefeller?
5 Like @Roweb0t No, that would require parents to actually be responsible for their children and what they choose to expose them to. Ridiculous!
2 Like YO MOTHERF**KING CONGRESS! y dont u guys look at other countries to see if video game violence makes us f**king killers?! after that try improving the F**king gun control (like better screening of whether the person is mental or something) u political idiots!!!
@RenegadeGR The gun control is about as good as it's going to get, short of an outright ban. We don't need more gun control. We need more people control.
aren't they trying to ban long knives in you're country? and comparing countries is pointless, so why try?
@Dekker451a @ACWH @RenegadeGR how many kill in the London riots = 1 by being pushed over and having a heart attack. L.A riots = 53 dead 18 of whom were shot
1 Like @DredWulf @ACWH @Dekker451a @RenegadeGR
What a stupid response to a serious discussion. No wonder your country is in such a state.
@ACWH @Dekker451a @RenegadeGR We aren't the UK...this is fucking America..The United States of...we don't tell you how to run your country don't tell us how to run ours. There's a reason we went to war with you to begin with.
@ACWH @Dekker451a @RenegadeGR Not unless you count the IRA or the London riots...yep, no violence at all in the UK.
This is the dumbest thing I have read in a long time. Hey congress, look around! Games have been played for years now. Guess what? wait for it.....by kids! I do not see kids offing each other on a daily basis because of 20 hours of Halo. You don't need a bill or a study or anything that going to cost us tax payers more money, and waist researchers time. Lets worry about real killers like, heart disease, cancer, illnesses that have no cures. You peaces of &^it are typing these bills up prolly while your watching the lastest Breaking bad episode, or WWE wrestling, or even Kill Bill flicks.
Knock off you F'N BS and live and let game!!!
Yet in other countries they play the same games and don't have these problems. Congress is so useless.
2 Like i live in the uk and watching all this from where i am is unbelievable. In stead of saying we need tighter gun controls because at the moment any old lunatic can get one most of your politicians are like quick blame video games.
1 Like The government has already commissioned studies on violent video games in the past. What is the point of this? The only one I can come up with is that they want to be seen as doing something, anything about the tragedy and this is the only path that doesn't piss off any lobby groups they care about.
Thank God he isn't running again, I have been so tired of my state electing the same damn senators year after year and the woman running against him was poised to kick his ass, Rockefeller made this bill in a last ditch attempt at swaying our state. Good freaking riddance.
1 Like Are Americans all dumb ? the only reason this bill is exists is to cover over the fact that the reason for all the shootings in America is because you have guns. The NRA and the people that makes billions of dollars from guns are the ones behind the bill. There were shootings in the 70s & 80s and what was to blame? rock music and violent films. WTF?
ban guns or live with it you American idiots
@spats77 What about Sweden? If it's just because we have guns then how do you explain the fact that they have far less gun-related crime than the US even though they have more guns? I mean per capita of course. I know the populations are different.
@Dekker451a @spats77 check your facts: 1st. America: for every 100 people there are 88 guns. 2nd. Serbia 58 guns per 100 people........10th .Sweden 31 gun per 100 people
@Dekker451a OK, AMERICA 90 out of 100 on Reuters and then YEMEN with 61 per 100....Anyway what my first point was, the American government blame anything except for whats the problem. In every country in the world you have people with all the same problems as in America. only difference its cheaper and easier to get guns. psycho evaluate everyone in America or take all the guns away and stop selling them you tell me which is the simpler
I checked and I was actually thinking of Switzerland, not Sweden. My mistake there.
By the way, Swiss soldiers are *required* to keep all their military equipment at home, including weapons, yet they don't murder their families or neighbors.
My point still stands that there's more to this than any perceived lack of gun control. A gun doesn't make you homicidal just because you're touching it. You can't solve a complex problem with a simple solution.
@spats77 @Dekker451a Not only did you get those numbers from Wikipedia which is dubious already, you got it from a page the the factual accuracy of which is disputed.
@spats77 Yeah because we know all those law abiding criminals are going to respect the gun ban and not find a way to get the anyway.
Oh wait...
1 Like @MGSFAN612 @spats77 the mass shootings in schools and most of the others were done by normal every day people that were pissed off, not criminals
@spats77 @Dekker451a @MGSFAN612
Actually, plenty of these guys have a history of mental problems and violence before they ever go on a killing spree, including Adam Lanza. Just because their friends and family don't do anything about the warning signs doesn't mean there weren't any.
What do knives have to do with it?
Japan is a police state. I'd rather have mass shootings and liberty than so-called "peace" under an iron fist.
@Dekker451a @spats77 @MGSFAN612 who says they are insane? no one before it happens!....how come you never hear of mass stabbings? because a gun does a better job at killing more people quicker. The fact is, more guns there are, the more likely of shootings. .......japan play violent games, more than then anywhere else but you never hear of mass shooting there......oh yeah the civilians don't have guns within easy reach!
@jubdeidamasta @spats77 @MGSFAN612 the people with psyche issues don't buy guns...no one has read the news...He Killed his mother then got her arsenal...that's not buying a gun that's murder also he didn't even shoot his mom...he apparently stabbed her to death with a sharp object so should we ban scissors and knives too?
@spats77 @MGSFAN612 If by "normal every day people" you mean batshit insane, homicidal freaks, then yes, they were all perfectly "normal".
@jubdeidamasta @spats77 @MGSFAN612 No, actually, that's not the problem. Connecticut has among the strictest gun control laws in the US and one of those laws basically says that someone wityh a record of mental instablity isn't allowed to own guns. Besides, Adam Lanza didn't own the guns he used. He stole them from his mother.
@spats77 @MGSFAN612 The problem is people with psyche issues LEGALLY getting their hands on weapons like that. But that makes the issue more complicated. American politicians don't like complicated issues.
@spats77 Yeah because all those law-abiding criminals won't find a way to get guns anyway,
Oh wait...
Harris Poll finds nearly three in five American adults believe games contribute to violent tendencies in teenagers; 38 percent know nothing about ESRB.
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