GTA 5 Should be Banned Says U.S. Senator

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is "proud" of the NRA but wants Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto 5 banned! Read on for the craziness...

With the recent Sandy Hook tragedy, it's no secret that some people are looking into obvious scapegoats to have someone to blame. Just a few days ago, uneducated people somehow connected BioWare's Mass Effect franchise to the shooting and are blaming the game for what happened.

Now, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is going back to one of the most-controversial videogame franchises of all time to have someone new to blame. I am, of course, talking about the Grand Theft Auto franchise -- which, in this case, is GTA 5.

In an interview with MSNBC (via DailyKos), Manchin, who's an avid gun user and huntsman, states that he has no plans in selling his guns and has been discussing the issue with the NRA (National Rifle Association). Further along the inerview, he also claims that he's friends with the NRA and that's he's "proud" of the association -- say what?

Here's what Marchin had to say regarding the NRA and how he's "proud" of them.

These are my friends...Theyre good people. Theyre hurting. Theyre in pain the same way as every American about what happened to these twenty little children. And Im not going to let anybody be villainized

Im so proud of the NRA...Im so pleased they agreed to be part of this.

If that wasn't befuddling enough, Manchin then spent most of the interview putting focus on mental health issues and -- you guessed it -- videogames.

Manchin states later in the interview, "Look at Grand Theft Auto, put out by Rockstar Games in New York City and see what it promotes," and even adds, "Shouldnt that be looked into and maybe be banned?"

So instead of talking about how to better keep guns away from "unbalanced" people, Manchin focuses on suggesting that Grand Theft Auto 5 be banned? I don't know about you, but I highly doubt that banning GTA 5 -- or any other videogame for that matter -- will result in the crime rate dropping or for tragedies like what just happened in Connecticut to not just happen.

For more on why we don't think videogames is the instigator that some politicans claim it out to be, read our feature on the matter and see if you agree.

Do you think that Manchin has a point and that Grand Theft Auto 5 should be looked into before it's release next year? Or is he grasping at straws to put the blame on everything and anyone without looking at the obvious?

http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/11602/article/gta-5-should-be-banned-says-u-s-senator/

Don't stop guns. Don't make mental health care free.

BAN GTA!

And you wonder why that party is dying.

Doesn't matter.

Prediction - It's going to get super hyped, then be a super let down.

Once again GTA is the poster child to get violent games banned. It won't happen.

So why is everyone so quick to blame games now a days? Is marilyn manson too old to blame for these sorts of things now?mems_1224

Don't stop guns. Don't make mental health care free.

BAN GTA!

And you wonder why that party is dying.

Jankarcop

Pfft.

I don't wonder. :P

It's a shame that we have those morons in this world. Waste of air.

I am a card carrying member of the NRA, but I don't really like many of it's members. They are opposed to all gun control entirely, I however support some gun control measures and if I bring it up to them they laugh at me. The NRA is not a very good organziation IMO, Gun Owners of America is far better and more sensible.

As for GTA5, people have to stop looking for scapegoats. If we want to get to the heart of an issue we have to take responsibility and really look at what's causing it. But I do believe we should be trying to build a culture of peace and not necessarily violence, but GTA5 is not the reason why these tragedies happen. Blaming a game is just stupid.

Oh noes, teh Senator must save us from ourselves! :shock:

I am a card carrying member of the NRA, but I don't really like many of it's members. They are opposed to all gun control entirely, I however support some gun control measures and if I bring it up to them they laugh at me. The NRA is not a very good organziation IMO, Gun Owners of America is far better and more sensible.

As for GTA5, people have to stop looking for scapegoats. If we want to get to the heart of an issue we have to take responsibility and really look at what's causing it. But I do believe we should be trying to build a culture of peace and not necessarily violence, but GTA5 is not the reason why these tragedies happen. Blaming a game is just stupid.

ShadowMoses900

Too bad Joe Manchin, Jack Thompson, and the Fox News crew weren't at the Sandy shooting; they would have made much better victims than the defenseless children.

Of course, we would not have even heard of the incident then, as no one cares about those idiots.

Hopefully there is a fiscal cliff related mission where you steal a bus carrying inept politicians and drive it off a mountain side.Pittfan666

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

Zurrur

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

Zurrur

This just in, Rockstar has surrendered to his demands! Rockstar is quoted saying:

"Sure we'll cancel it"

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

Zurrur

Whats really really insidious about this rhetoric is that its not guns, failure of the system or any part of the establishment thats to blame, but the kids themselves for playing these games! Typical (and I'm sorry for bringing party politics into this) Republican response is to scapegoat something to shift the blame from their constituents, whether its big business, the super rich or guns.blue_hazy_basic

Yep.

But it's far easier to blame something else than it is to take a look in the mirror and acknowledge the shortcomings in their way of thinking.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

Animal-Mother

Well, he's right though. They happen all the time, people are dying all the time.

[QUOTE="Animal-Mother"][QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

GamerwillzPS

Well, he's right though. They happen all the time, people are dying all the time.

I really don't care about shootings if I don't know any of the involved, but plenty of people do.

[QUOTE="ShadowMoses900"]

I am a card carrying member of the NRA, but I don't really like many of it's members. They are opposed to all gun control entirely, I however support some gun control measures and if I bring it up to them they laugh at me. The NRA is not a very good organziation IMO, Gun Owners of America is far better and more sensible.

As for GTA5, people have to stop looking for scapegoats. If we want to get to the heart of an issue we have to take responsibility and really look at what's causing it. But I do believe we should be trying to build a culture of peace and not necessarily violence, but GTA5 is not the reason why these tragedies happen. Blaming a game is just stupid.

clyde46

Well to be fair, violence in movies and games can influence people, but that depends on the individual and how mentally sound they are. There are also some studies that suggest it's not healthy to be exposed to game and movie violence over long periods, but there are counter studies that suggest it has no effect.

In the end it depends on the indivual. People are unfortunately going to use this tragedy to push forward their own agendas, it's just political bullying as far as I'm concerned. That's what Jack Tohmpson is currently doing as well. I have sent a letter to the White House outlying the gun control measures I would like to see implemented in our society, this coming from a gun owner who owns over 5 guns and conceal carries.

PM me if you want the details of it. I have gotten good support from both fellow gun owners and the anti gun crowd and I was even on my local news.

[QUOTE="Animal-Mother"][QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

GamerwillzPS

Well, he's right though. They happen all the time, people are dying all the time.

[QUOTE="Animal-Mother"][QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

GamerwillzPS

Well, he's right though. They happen all the time, people are dying all the time.

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

Zurrur

I really hate people like you. You're going to hell, I hope you know that.

But I know I'm going to regret this, the only way to deal with your kind is just to ignore them entirely.

How can no one feel bad about a bunch of little kids being murdered?

GTA is a game for adults and as an an adult I think I can decide what to play by myself. Now if parents buy these kind of games to their kids then....

Ban that guy! :x

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

[QUOTE="Animal-Mother"] No one cares about school shootings? Are you really that cold?Riadon2

Well, he's right though. They happen all the time, people are dying all the time.

I really don't care about shootings if I don't know any of the involved, but plenty of people do.

[QUOTE="Riadon2"]

[QUOTE="GamerwillzPS"]

Well, he's right though. They happen all the time, people are dying all the time.

drinkerofjuice

I really don't care about shootings if I don't know any of the involved, but plenty of people do.

Agreed, but unfortunately I have seen worse on Youtube. That place has worse trolls than this place.

Not going to happen.Some of the reasonable dems won't let that game get banned.

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

ShadowMoses900

I really hate people like you. You're going to hell, I hope you know that.

But I know I'm going to regret this, the only way to deal with your kind is just to ignore them entirely.

How can no one feel bad about a bunch of little kids being murdered?

I know it's a cold blooded murder and all, but come on! Hundreds of Pakistani children are being killed by your President's drone!

See, this is why I hate it when SW threads go off-topic, for the off chance that posters will say stupid sh1t about things that actually matter.drinkerofjuice

why the hell is it plastered all over the mediaAnimal-Mother

A while ago there was some stuff all over the media for ages about some .... highly paid beneficiaries in england celebrating a marraige ... what was that thing I didn't care about?

Oh yes, the Royal Wedding.

I don't think that something appearing in the media, means that 'people care'.

But yes I do agree Animal Mother that people should empathasize when thinking of these school shootings, not be so dismissive.

[QUOTE="ShadowMoses900"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"] I know and that's why I didn't vote at all this year,

[QUOTE="ShadowMoses900"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

GamerwillzPS

I really hate people like you. You're going to hell, I hope you know that.

But I know I'm going to regret this, the only way to deal with your kind is just to ignore them entirely.

How can no one feel bad about a bunch of little kids being murdered?

I know it's a cold blooded murder and all, but come on! Hundreds of Pakistani children are being killed by your President's drone!

[QUOTE="drinkerofjuice"][QUOTE="Riadon2"]

I really don't care about shootings if I don't know any of the involved, but plenty of people do.

ShadowMoses900

Agreed, but unfortunately I have seen worse on Youtube. That place has worse trolls than this place.

Not trolling, I truly have trouble maintaining the empathy that normal people do. I try to feel sad about things like this, but I can't MAKE myself feel sad. I will do my best to make sure that things like this don't happen again, because that is what is best for the country and all of its people, but not because I personally feel deep sadness.

Wow.

The funny thing is they look for scapegoats like this because they can't come up with any new legitimate reasons to oppose gun control except for "durr 2nd amendment". So let's not ban fully automatic weapons, let's instead ban a bunch of code, that's the real danger here guys, those damn DVD'sbobbetybob

lol @ congress

"See what it promotes." ?!?!?!?

You have no idea what Grand Theft Auto promotes. You have no right to police the game industry if you have no clue how these games actually affect the minds of the players.

Actually play through the game and then maybe you'll understand.

Grand Theft Auto's story typically shows the misfortune brought about by crime and makes the player want to STAY AWAY from criminal activities.

[QUOTE="ShadowMoses900"]

[QUOTE="Zurrur"]

This thread should be banned, nothing to do with system wars

No one cares about school shootings, they happen all the time

GamerwillzPS

I really hate people like you. You're going to hell, I hope you know that.

But I know I'm going to regret this, the only way to deal with your kind is just to ignore them entirely.

How can no one feel bad about a bunch of little kids being murdered?

I know it's a cold blooded murder and all, but come on! Hundreds of Pakistani children are being killed by your President's drone!

That is sad too but you don't understand the situation, it's also not "hundreds" of Pakistani children, not even close to that number. And terrorists hide behind kids and bunker down in civlian homes, the US is not targeting civilians. I heard the same argument when Israel was kicking Hamas's ass, children died which is very sad and should never happen, but it was the terrorists that were at fault for it. They were hiding in civilian homes.

I care about it when children are killed regardless of where they are from. We need to build a world where no children are ever harmed. IMO a person who harms a child, either physically or sexually, should recieve either life in prison or the death penalty.

>Grand Theft Auto's story typically shows the misfortune brought about by crime and makes the player want to STAY AWAY from criminal activities.GeoffZak

[QUOTE="GeoffZak"]>Grand Theft Auto's story typically shows the misfortune brought about by crime and makes the player want to STAY AWAY from criminal activities.Stevo_the_gamer

Yeah, only GTA IV (non EFLC) had that theme that I remember.

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"][QUOTE="GeoffZak"]>Grand Theft Auto's story typically shows the misfortune brought about by crime and makes the player want to STAY AWAY from criminal activities.Riadon2

Yeah, only GTA IV (non EFLC) had that theme that I remember.

From what I remember, GTA makes a life of crime look undesirable.