Sandy Hook Shooting Sparks the “Violent Video Game” Debate (Again)

The tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut shook the foundations of our prior thoughts about gun control as a nation. Earlier this year, I wrote about the censorship debate surrounding the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. Every time some lunatic massacres innocent people, everyone blames the same culprits.

“It’s the NRA’s fault, goddammit!” Someone will say.

“No, its violent video games! We should ban those!” Some other idiot will proclaim as they stereotypically wrap themselves in their faux enlightenment.

New submitter seepho [from Slashdot] writes:

"Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) has introduced a bill directing the National Academy of Sciences to lead an investigation to determine what impact violent video games have on children. Senator Rockefeller commented, 'Recent court decisions demonstrate that some people still do not get it. They believe that violent video games are no more dangerous to young minds than classic literature or Saturday morning cartoons. Parents, pediatricians, and psychologists know better. These court decisions show we need to do more and explore ways Congress can lay additional groundwork on this issue. This report will be a critical resource in this process.'"This legislation was prompted by reports that Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza was a gamer. A draft of the bill is available online. (Slashdot)

Of course, this is only a first step in the restriction of video game sales which will supply yet another crushing blow to creative expression and free thought. The fact is, that video games are a form of entertainment just like literature and Saturday morning cartoons. I play FPS (First Person Shooter) games as well as platformers and other types. I have never, ever thought about shooting anyone in real life. I’ve never held a gun, either and have no intentions of owning one. There are millions of other gamers, just like me, who know how to flip the IRL switch when console time’s up. In fact, most gamers possess enough human decency not to commit horrendous murders.

Of course, mainstreamers hold on to the stupid idea that banning and/or censoring video games is somehow going to reduce gun violence. But it’s really just a myth. You know what will really reduce gun violence? Looking at the real life merchants of death selling ordinary citizens unnecessarily powerful, military-grade assault weapons.

Should every American have the right to own a weapon for self-defense? Yes. Should an ordinary citizen possess a gun more deadly than the ones carried by local police? No. Should a single family own a freaking arsenal in their house? Hell no.

President Obama has been largely silent on the issue of gun control, which is highly unfortunate. In the words of my adoptive mother, “he certainly isn’t like other Democrats”. All this “middle of the road” pandering is simply a load of bullshit. In times like this, we need a leader with balls; someone unafraid of the rabid right. Yet, no real change actually happens because we, as Americans, have become complacent about the qualities of the people who represent us. I believe that Obama has a moral responsibility to take the issue of gun control seriously, especially after the laundry list of random massacres which happened underneath his presidency. Of course, after a shooting this devastating, Obama is talking. Why did it take so long?

Tragedies bring out the nature of us which seeks to find someone or something to blame. We have to find a solution, somehow, someway. The solution isn’t always clear. But in this case, its staring us right in the face. Too bad some people can’t distinguish reality from video games and feel the need to blame a form of entertainment rather than the people responsible for this shit.

If you’re a gamer and you oppose violence in real life, I want to hear from you. The more gamers we can get to speak up, the better.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #gamers4peace

Also, don't forget to check out Demand a Plan.