(TheConservativeNews.org) – The debate around violent video games has raged for well over a decade now. While some see them as harmless fun, others are concerned that violent games can encourage players (especially younger ones) to engage in real-world violence. Now, there’s new legislation being introduced about it.
Rep. Marcus Evans (D), of the Illinois House of Representatives, has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of “all violent video games.” The rule would not differentiate between adults and children, as the current law does.
Speaking on Monday, February 22, Evans cited the growing problem of carjacking in the city of Chicago as a motivation for this campaign. He mentioned the “Grand Theft Auto” game series specifically, claiming they, and similar games, were “perpetuating the normalcy of carjacking.”
Whether or not videogames are a factor, carjacking is a serious problem in Chicago at the moment. There were more than twice as many instances of the offense in the city in 2020 than in 2019.
It’s impossible to say whether there is a link between videogames and violence without extensive clinical research on the topic. Even if there is a connection, Evans’ proposal looks like a drastic limitation on personal freedoms, one that may be disproportionate to the goal he wants to achieve.
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