U.S. Senator Chris Murphy Thinks Video Games Play a Part in Mass Shootings

Connecticut Senator says exposure to violent media can push those with mental illnesses "over the edge"

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Complex Original

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Democratic Senator Chris Murphy says that exposure to violent media such as video games can put those with mental illnesses "over the edge" and he supports Obama's plan for more research into violent games.

This, first ever, 10 million dollar research project to be conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting will study the effects of violent games on players.

Senator Murphy was asked by GameSpot why he chose to single out video games and what message he has the industry at large.

"Obviously, this is a very sensitive issue in Connecticut. Newtown is still in crisis," Murphy said in response. "Not enough healing going on there in the wake of the murder of 26 children and educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School. And you know, what we know are the facts about that crime. What we know is that this young man, deeply mentally ill walking the school with an assault weapon armed with 30-round magazines. What we know is that he was very, very severely mentally ill; that his mother had been trying to get him help for years. And what we also know, is that he spent a lot of time playing violent video games."

Murphy acknowledged that there is no scientific data to back up much of what he and others have said on the connection between games and violence.

"What we admittedly don't have…is any peer-reviewed studies or research that tell us that there is a definitive link between exposure to violent video games and violence," Murphy said. "What researchers will tell you, is that if you already have a severe mental illness, and a predilection to violence, perhaps the video game exposure can put you over the edge. But in and of itself, there is no research showing that there's a link."

Well it's nice see another senator becoming an expert in psychology. We're all interested to see what a CDC would determine about video games but in the short term is anyone going to research why these kids have access to so many guns? Can players 3D print from Call of Duty now?

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[Via GameSpot]

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