Grand Theft Auto IV Blamed In Murder Case
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Pretty much what ran through my mind the moment I read the first paragraph. But nooooo, it's the game that did it. Fucking Fox news and their negative IQ with reports..ssgt splatter said:
To be fair, a kid that young might not really have a grasp on the implications of his actions which begs the question why he had access to a fucking gun and a game with a MATURE rating.Antari said:
Whilst the game may have had an influence on the child I can't blame it because of the awful parenting that put the game and a loaded gun in his hands.
More the latter than the former, I've been playing GTA since I was nine. Had a gun in the house too, no live ammo though, just blanks and I while fascinated by the weapon (MUCH more due to movies than games) was really scared of it as a child, would never point the thing at anyone, even with just blanks in it.Vaccine said:
Also - if I take a piss minutes before going to shoot someone in the back of the head, would the public go on a wild protest and demand a nation-wide ban urination?
1. Why was an eight-year old able to play GTA 4? (hint: most likely has something to do with parenting and the antonym of "good")
2. Why did an eight-year old have access to a gun? You would think it would be locked up better what with all the cases of kids accidentally shooting themselves or their friends by "playing with them". And that brings us to...
3. Why did an eight-year old who had access to a gun also have access to ammunition? And if he didn't, why was the gun [i/]loaded[/i]? One of the most important rules gun safety classes drill into you is to never store guns loaded.
Oh course, none of these questions are important to the media or the police. The kid lived in the same house as a copy of GTA 4. Games are for kids, so [i/]obviously[/i] the eight-year old played it and it influenced his innocent, pure young mind into committing this heinous act. I wish my country's law enforcers would show some intelligence and actually do research on these hot topics (actually that goes for media and parents too) that may intrude of their job, so that they stop knee-jerking and actually do their job.
2. Why did an eight-year old have access to a gun? You would think it would be locked up better what with all the cases of kids accidentally shooting themselves or their friends by "playing with them". And that brings us to...
3. Why did an eight-year old who had access to a gun also have access to ammunition? And if he didn't, why was the gun [i/]loaded[/i]? One of the most important rules gun safety classes drill into you is to never store guns loaded.
Oh course, none of these questions are important to the media or the police. The kid lived in the same house as a copy of GTA 4. Games are for kids, so [i/]obviously[/i] the eight-year old played it and it influenced his innocent, pure young mind into committing this heinous act. I wish my country's law enforcers would show some intelligence and actually do research on these hot topics (actually that goes for media and parents too) that may intrude of their job, so that they stop knee-jerking and actually do their job.
yeah, fine, when you have to deal with wild animals it makes sense. I didn't think about that because in Europe we don't have that many hostile wild animals walking around. However i still think that america's gun laws are not restrictive enough. Guns just don't belong within kids reach.Kalezian said:
As everything that can be said about an 8 year old having access to a loaded gun has been said, I have a different question relating to the quote above.Andy Chalk said:
I'm not being facetious or snarky, but I'm not sure this is a true statement, is it? It's possible that I missed whatever scientific study proved this link, but as far as I'm aware there have been none. Is anyone aware of the study that definitively associates GTA with encouraging violence? And, like I said, this is a serious question - I'm genuinely curious.
What actually pisses me off more are the people in this thread, this story is nothing new.
You all say the same thing "games don't cause violence", which I agree but what pisses me off is "an 8 year old shouldn't be playing GTA4", why not? I was playing the original GTA at roughly that age.
If games don't negatively effect kids, why are you saying they shouldn't play them? Don't say one thing then say the opposite in the same breath. Either games do effect people or they don't
You all say the same thing "games don't cause violence", which I agree but what pisses me off is "an 8 year old shouldn't be playing GTA4", why not? I was playing the original GTA at roughly that age.
If games don't negatively effect kids, why are you saying they shouldn't play them? Don't say one thing then say the opposite in the same breath. Either games do effect people or they don't
Yea, just keep dancing around the real issue, which is America's gun culture. As long as no one is willing to acknowledge and do anything about that problem you should be prepared to pay the price of ignorance in the blood of your own people.
Here in the Netherlands we are required by law to get a permit and background-check before you are even allowed to handle a gun. You are also forced to store your personal guns and ammunition in separate safes in your house. This to prevent accidents such as this from even occurring. It's not watertight, but it is still preferable to lawlessness concerning deadly firearms.
Here in the Netherlands we are required by law to get a permit and background-check before you are even allowed to handle a gun. You are also forced to store your personal guns and ammunition in separate safes in your house. This to prevent accidents such as this from even occurring. It's not watertight, but it is still preferable to lawlessness concerning deadly firearms.
No, just No. It is NEVER, "why was the kid playing around with a loaded gun?". All guns should be treated as if they are loaded at all times. Even when you know there isn't a chance in hell that it is. My neighbor got killed because they assumed the gun they were cleaning couldn't be fired let alone have a bullet in the chamber. Gun accidents happen all the time, and it's normally some idiot thought playing with it was acceptable. My wife's brother accidentally shot, and killed his best friend when he was this kids age because he was playing with a gun. You never point a gun at someone unless you intend to shoot them. You never leave a gun were a kid could get it. And you should always lock up your guns, or have no guns at all.Worgen said:
Kids shouldn't have access to Guns for the same reason they shouldn't have porn. They're not old enough to understand what it's used for, or are too immature to use them properly, or discreetly. A kids going to take his porn to school to show it off to his friends, and he'll do the same thing with a gun he gets his hands on.
I'm sorry you sound like your at least on the right track, but the whole "loaded gun" nonsense is grating because it's at the core of all gun safety training.
I think the only thing Grand Theft Auto IV made me do was go race cars in the subway under Manhattan.
In real life I mean.
I got up to the elevated rail via the wide stairwell at Brighton Beach near the non-functional Ferris wheel. Yes, I was the one who drove a GLK350 head-on into a subway car and killed five people, including myself. I can't believe it wasn't in the news. Oh that's right, that's because it's a fucking game.[hr]
Meanwhile, back in reality, the case is still fresh and I'm certain that the root cause will be identified. It won't be the game, it will likely be something entirely trivial [http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/photogallery/killed-over-what.html?curPhoto=1], which will make this case infinitely sadder. One life lost, another ruined.
Rest in peace, Marie Smothers.
In real life I mean.
I got up to the elevated rail via the wide stairwell at Brighton Beach near the non-functional Ferris wheel. Yes, I was the one who drove a GLK350 head-on into a subway car and killed five people, including myself. I can't believe it wasn't in the news. Oh that's right, that's because it's a fucking game.[hr]
Meanwhile, back in reality, the case is still fresh and I'm certain that the root cause will be identified. It won't be the game, it will likely be something entirely trivial [http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/photogallery/killed-over-what.html?curPhoto=1], which will make this case infinitely sadder. One life lost, another ruined.
Rest in peace, Marie Smothers.
I to believe that the irresponsible parents/caregiver are not to blame for this tragedy! It is not a parents/caregivers responsiblity to ensure their children have appropriate games and gun control. If anything we should imprison everyone who works at Rockstar and probably everyone who works at a retailer who sells GTA. Lets just think about it for a second. If these people were in jail they couldn't have allowed this to play this game. We should also probably take all of Sony and send them to jail...and everyone who has ever purchased or made a gun in their life...cause well its their fault as well.
Seriously though....Why isn't how this kid got access to a gun the primary problem here? Why isn't that more than a 2 sentence blerb at the bottom? Ohhh I see it now....Fox news!
Seriously though....Why isn't how this kid got access to a gun the primary problem here? Why isn't that more than a 2 sentence blerb at the bottom? Ohhh I see it now....Fox news!
I think the problem here is not just the game, but a lack of parenting, and the game.
1. The child is 8 and playing GTA: IV
2. The child has access to a gun.
But whatever, if you don't want to control your kids and your guns have fun getting shot by psychotic preschoolers.
And does anyone feel the sneaky shot to the back of the head, with clear intent a little...worrying? I know he was brought up in a loving environment but it's still really weird.
1. The child is 8 and playing GTA: IV
2. The child has access to a gun.
But whatever, if you don't want to control your kids and your guns have fun getting shot by psychotic preschoolers.
And does anyone feel the sneaky shot to the back of the head, with clear intent a little...worrying? I know he was brought up in a loving environment but it's still really weird.
"...Breaking News: New information has been unearthed regarding the recent Grand Theft Auto Grandmother killing. The late 87 year old Marie Smothers is believed to have played an internet browser game in which she took on the role of Saint, "Klaus," Nikolaus, the feared anti-semitic terrorist, distributor of harmful propaganda, and home invader. FBI CCRSB Assistant Director Raynor Schein has disclosed to the public that this game (Which has since been removed from the website hosting it) rewarded players for giving presents to children, including video games. The game's developer has been taken into FBI custody, and if the court finds him guilty for publishing it, will likely face execution by firing squad. Ladies and gentlemen of America, I believe I speak for all of us when I ask: When will this madness end?"
alright, let's ignore the fact that they left a gun out to where their child could get it. Let's also ignore that there were video games involved and let's ask one simple question:
Who the fuck is ruling this as a murder case? Do people really believe that a child, an 8 year old child, understands death enough to know that aiming a gun at the caretaker and pulling the trigger would severely wound or kill the person? I highly doubt it. What kind of fucking moron would look at this situation and say "oh yes, this was most definitely intentional and premeditated"?
Who the fuck is ruling this as a murder case? Do people really believe that a child, an 8 year old child, understands death enough to know that aiming a gun at the caretaker and pulling the trigger would severely wound or kill the person? I highly doubt it. What kind of fucking moron would look at this situation and say "oh yes, this was most definitely intentional and premeditated"?
No, it's not topical. It means roughly as much as hearing of a rape case while the rapist blasts out a Jay-Z song, with a Jay-Z album just around the corner. Absolute zilch. If it even gets the attention of any other news station, or even a Fox News talk-show part, will be a miracle due to how insignificant it is. This is a plastic bag blowing in the wind. This means nothing, is not topical in any way and will be forgotten within a month. All I can really say is The Escapist seems to be taking advise from Fox News. This is in terms of how to maximise attention (and therefore ad-revenue) by pushing news stories that mean a lot less than they suggest and provoking their fan-base.Diablo1099 said:
Seriously, look through this topic and try to straight-face tell me everyone isn't rustled in one way or another in a meaningless manner. This death has been made more trival than video games.
Serious point: GUNS ARE NOT TOYS. What kind of idiot lets a child play with a loaded gun? Would you let Junior drive your car? No? Then DON'T LET HIM PLAY WITH YOUR GUN, YOU IDIOT.
Joking point: thank god he wasn't playing Saints Row IV, he might have taken out half the block with a well-placed freeze blast/dive bomb combo.
Joking point: thank god he wasn't playing Saints Row IV, he might have taken out half the block with a well-placed freeze blast/dive bomb combo.
Shit, that article might as well have read
"Why twasn't the gun that kill'd er. T'was dah vidyagame! O'viously!
Gawd as muh witness, I swears we need t' ban them b'fore enneh-more 8 yurlds shoots mor people!"
If FOX News is going to stoop to mindless caricature in reporting, why the hell can't I?
Read the article: The fact that the kid was playing video game is being emphasized and demonized far more than the fact he had access to a loaded firearm.
Stupid sensationalist muckrakers.
"Why twasn't the gun that kill'd er. T'was dah vidyagame! O'viously!
Gawd as muh witness, I swears we need t' ban them b'fore enneh-more 8 yurlds shoots mor people!"
If FOX News is going to stoop to mindless caricature in reporting, why the hell can't I?
Read the article: The fact that the kid was playing video game is being emphasized and demonized far more than the fact he had access to a loaded firearm.
Stupid sensationalist muckrakers.
Well no of course they wouldn't because the activities in that show don't mirror the real life tragedy he committed. Unlike GTA.Maxtro said:
Now I agree the biggest red flags about this incident is an 8 year old with access to a loaded firearm, and an 8 year old playing an M-rated game. However considering the other controversies lately that the game genre may be contributing to hostility towards women, or just general hostility, up to and including some game players making death threats against other people and their children, I think we as gamers once again just blowing this incident off as a non-game related event is a bad idea.
I've always taken the position that fiction and reality are not the same thing and that most people can easily tell the difference. But I am starting to wonder what about the people in our society who can't. My reasoning is that if this child was aping the actions he participated in while playing GTA and this led to the death of an innocent person, then GTA is indeed a contributing factor. Now the child being under 10 years of age means he will not be prosecuted for any crime as legally it's believed he is under the age of understanding right from wrong, that he doesn't have the mental capacity to understand the consequences of his actions. And the scary thing about that is remember all the adult mass murdering shooters we've had lately? They've all had psychotic breaks with reality and can also not tell fiction from reality. And that's the key word, adult. These people are able to play these games unmonitored and also legally purchase firearms. So if there is any possibility that a violent game such as GTA had any impact in this sad situation I think its time we as gamers stopped automatically gainsaying the possibility there is any link between games and violence and instead try to be a little more open minded.
I think Extra Credits pointed out that the gun was in a case. An UNLOCKED case. For fuck's sake, you need to take an exam before you should be allowed to have a tool designed for killing.