While I don’t think violent video games and films automatically create killers, they do make regular people desensitized to things that should be considered appalling or disgusting. How many times can we see a person get ripped apart on a TV before it becomes run of the mill? When mass shootings occur these days, people automatically ask for the number of victims as though that determines the seriousness of the crime. Any death, no matter the number, should be a cause for sadness and concern. And who knows, one of those desensitized youth just might act out on their impulses. There are many things that trigger the kind of violence we saw in Aurora and Columbine and Newtown, but it can’t be ignored that the entertainment industry plays a part, albeit small, in that. At the very least, our impressionable youth should be sheltered from these kind of images.

Vice President Joe Biden met today with representatives from the video game industry in the latest of a series of meetings to develop a national response to gun violence. Yesterday, Biden met with the NRA and gun sportsmen who feel the marketing of violence to kids is more to blame for mass shootings than the weapons themselves.

Biden hopes to deliver recommendations to President Obama by Tuesday. Should they include ratings or restrictions on violence in movies, music, video games and on television? How much does the entertainment industry influence the behavior of criminals? What role should family play in educating America's youth about violence?

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Joe Buffon Biden and his boss want to disarm American citizens. That will increase criminal and madman possession of weapons and will make us more vulnerable to gun violence.

Joe
Port Richmond

The family is totally responsible for the behavior of their children in every aspect.

These games or any entertainment, movies, etc. should be known as a story and not take everything literally.

This Biden has no clue about anything and by this president giving him this assignment is merely kicking the can down the road.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

Do video games & TV influence violence? What about American foreign policy? When the president maintains a kill list, that says something about the society we live in...

Erik

Biden is underrated and is very capable of bringing government people together and will do a good job on the issues. He has a history with assault weapon ban, can address video and movie violence and Andrew Cuomo gave a great speech on gun control and changes. Let's hope the extremists wake up.

Go get 'em Joe

Tom
Mount Vernon

Stop making the entertainment industry the scapegoat for society's problems. Even before movies, video games, and tv we still had violence. We need to actually raise our kids and stop scapegoating entertainment. They do this in other countries. Why not here?

Mike
Morningside Heights

IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL FOR A PERSON TO BUY A AUTOMATIC WEAPON AND A PERSON SHOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO PURCHASE GUNS IN IHE STATE THEY ARE A RESIDENCE OFF

PEDRO
BRONX

All this talk about games and movies is a distraction. We live in a war culture. When a president openly talks about killing people, uses drones to kill people, and brags about it on national tv this is more of a problem than any game, song, or tv show.

Colin
Gowanus

Parent have to raise their children properly, and their unable to do so, they must get their children helped...

Chris
Queens

As a middle class citizen it has become difficult for me to inscribe my children into afterschool or weekend programs because they are too expensive or I don't qualify for any assistance to pay off the cost of the tuition. A typical one hour 6 week class can cost you anywhere between $300 to $900. To keep the kids safe and entertain videos games seem to be the best other option. We also visit the free library but even museums and zoos are expensive. Let's talk solutions for free or affordable programs.

Parents are the ones that buy these violent games. They should be rated, and parents should know the type of game their children are playing.

Violence seems to sell unfortunately. Kids do not go out to the street to skate like they once did. And play games like I did. Monopoly.

Not all parents spend time talking to their children. And talking to your children is important.

Children start seeing very aggressive and violent movies, and playing these violent games, too young, and of cause they become desensitized.

Linda
Manhattan

Right after 9/11 there were a lot of Americans who felt that we could catch many potential terrorists if we just made it a little more inconvenient for Muslims to get on planes.

We knew that not all Muslims were terrorists, but unfortunately all terrorists happened to be Muslim.

But those things never happened. Because Americans, even non-Muslims, would protest if any law abiding Muslim American had to wait even a second longer than a non-Muslim one.

Even though attempting to identify and go after the sub-group without effecting the lives of the larger group was harder, it was also the right thing to do. So we did it.

Now 12 years later we are telling another group of law abiding Americans that because of the terrible, horrifying actions of a sub group of them, we are going to make it just a little bit harder for them to exercise their rights.

It's going to be a very small inconvenience in order for the rest of us to feel safe.
I don't even own a gun and don't want to. I am also an Athiest. But I would protest, just as any intelligent person should, in favor of both Muslims and Gun owners.

Leo
Woodside

i strongly think that the government shouldnt only be blamed. the parents need to take control as well. if they feel that their children shouldnt play games such as black ops and what not, then they have the power to stop them. dont only blame the media, thats just biased!!!!

Dimples

Please with all of these people. It isn't the games or media. It is the parents that don't pay enough attention to their children. Back when I was young violence was blamed on music. Blame should be put on where it belongs & the parents should involve themselves in their children's lives in a positive way

Athena
Ozone park

Great show tonight. I think it's one thing to blame movies for being too violent but I've seen enough movies from Japan, Korea, the UK, and other countries that are even more violent that the ones in the US. We don't see the violence with guns in those countries like the ones that we have here. I think it's an excuse to say that this is the problem and the NRA and Republicans want that so we won't put limits on guns in the US. If the movies in this country were as violent than the ones in the other countries that I mentioned, then I would feel differently. We need to put limits on guns in this country first before we do anything else.

Ron

Much of this violent behavior is not aberrant in the least. People are imitating their leaders; they are imitating war.

Tom
Brooklyn Heights

OK but remember BRAVE NEW WORLD, FAHRENHEIT 451,1984, THE THIRD REICH!! BE CAREFUL FOR WHAT U ASK FOR!!!!

Carol
Queens

Often times it is hard for youngsters to distinguish between fantasy and reality. I believe that the parents are the first line of defensive for what their children come in contact with, be it violent games and shows. The media should play a part in toning down these games that are so bloody, violent and sexual. Maybe by scrolling across the screen * not to be imitated...fantasy* Anything that would assist in ensuring the right moral and ethical behavior from our young ones. We as a country and a community must do all we can to rear mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy children and young adults.

D

I am 16 years old and I believe my opinion is not the most important but taken into consideration. I do not support the belief that the media, NRA, or government is to blame. One must blame the parents at home who allow this content into his or her home for their children. My parents would never buy any of the Grand Theft Auto Series games despite my arguments for it. Parenting is the largest factor.

Intelligent Teen