Obama Instructs CDC to Research Links Between Violent Media and Real-Life Violence

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Edited By patrickklepek
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The Obama Administration’s response to the shooting of 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary is taking shape, with President Obama having announced a series of initiatives this morning.

This included recommending $10 million to be appropriated to the Center for Disease Control in order to research possible links between violent games and violent actions by the nation’s youth.

"I will direct the Centers for Disease Control to go ahead and study the best ways to reduce it, and Congress should fund research into the effects that violent video games have on young minds," said Obama. "We don't benefit from ignorance. We don't benefit from not knowing the science of this epidemic of violence."

This recommendation for the CDC does not just single out video games, however:

“Conduct research on the causes and prevention of gun violence, including links between video games, media images, and violence: The President is issuing a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control and scientific agencies to conduct research into the causes and prevention of gun violence. It is based on legal analysis that concludes such research is not prohibited by any appropriations language. The CDC will start immediately by assessing existing strategies for preventing gun violence and identifying the most pressing research questions, with the greatest potential public health impact. And the Administration is calling on Congress to provide $10 million for the CDC to conduct further research, including investigating the relationship between video games, media images, and violence.”

This came alongside 23 other executive actions taken by President Obama, in addition to promises of legislation to be sent in the direction of Congress. You can read the President’s entire plan on the White House’s website.

In response, the Entertainment Software Association released a statement supporting the move, and pointing out how previous research has shown there is no link. It seems unlikely the ESA would have made such a move if there wasn’t a reasonable amount of confidence this new set of research is likely to arrive at the same conclusion.

The full statement is below:

“ESA appreciates President Obama‟s and Vice President Biden‟s leadership and the thoughtful, comprehensive process of the White House Gun Violence Commission. We concur with President Obama‟s call today for all Americans to do their part, and agree with the report‟s conclusion that „the entertainment and video game industries have a responsibility to give parents tools and choices about the movies and programs their children watch and the games their children play.‟

“The same entertainment is enjoyed across all cultures and nations, but tragic levels of gun violence remain unique to our country. Scientific research and international and domestic crime data all point toward the same conclusion: entertainment does not cause violent behavior in the real world.

“We will embrace a constructive role in the important national dialogue around gun violence in the United States, and continue to collaborate with the Administration and Congress as they examine the facts that inform meaningful solutions.”

It’s unclear how long it would take before we see the results of any such research from the CDC.

Meanwhile, IGN ran a lengthy feature today that includes various responses to the video game industry meeting with the VP Joe Biden from prominent members of the games press, including Jeff.

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patrickklepek

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#1  Edited By patrickklepek
No Caption Provided

The Obama Administration’s response to the shooting of 20 children at Sandy Hook Elementary is taking shape, with President Obama having announced a series of initiatives this morning.

This included recommending $10 million to be appropriated to the Center for Disease Control in order to research possible links between violent games and violent actions by the nation’s youth.

"I will direct the Centers for Disease Control to go ahead and study the best ways to reduce it, and Congress should fund research into the effects that violent video games have on young minds," said Obama. "We don't benefit from ignorance. We don't benefit from not knowing the science of this epidemic of violence."

This recommendation for the CDC does not just single out video games, however:

“Conduct research on the causes and prevention of gun violence, including links between video games, media images, and violence: The President is issuing a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control and scientific agencies to conduct research into the causes and prevention of gun violence. It is based on legal analysis that concludes such research is not prohibited by any appropriations language. The CDC will start immediately by assessing existing strategies for preventing gun violence and identifying the most pressing research questions, with the greatest potential public health impact. And the Administration is calling on Congress to provide $10 million for the CDC to conduct further research, including investigating the relationship between video games, media images, and violence.”

This came alongside 23 other executive actions taken by President Obama, in addition to promises of legislation to be sent in the direction of Congress. You can read the President’s entire plan on the White House’s website.

In response, the Entertainment Software Association released a statement supporting the move, and pointing out how previous research has shown there is no link. It seems unlikely the ESA would have made such a move if there wasn’t a reasonable amount of confidence this new set of research is likely to arrive at the same conclusion.

The full statement is below:

“ESA appreciates President Obama‟s and Vice President Biden‟s leadership and the thoughtful, comprehensive process of the White House Gun Violence Commission. We concur with President Obama‟s call today for all Americans to do their part, and agree with the report‟s conclusion that „the entertainment and video game industries have a responsibility to give parents tools and choices about the movies and programs their children watch and the games their children play.‟

“The same entertainment is enjoyed across all cultures and nations, but tragic levels of gun violence remain unique to our country. Scientific research and international and domestic crime data all point toward the same conclusion: entertainment does not cause violent behavior in the real world.

“We will embrace a constructive role in the important national dialogue around gun violence in the United States, and continue to collaborate with the Administration and Congress as they examine the facts that inform meaningful solutions.”

It’s unclear how long it would take before we see the results of any such research from the CDC.

Meanwhile, IGN ran a lengthy feature today that includes various responses to the video game industry meeting with the VP Joe Biden from prominent members of the games press, including Jeff.

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TheHT

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#2  Edited By TheHT

Doing things already done before to appease the minds of the people?

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leejunfan83

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#3  Edited By leejunfan83

I actually wouldn't mind less violent games if it meant less call of duty and why does violence equal fun to some

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deactivated-5e49e9175da37

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And here is where an entire nation gives up their right to free speech with triumphant applause.

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billyhoush

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#5  Edited By billyhoush

What a waste of 10 million. I guess at the very least it will create some bullshit jobs in academia that may stimulate a bit of the economy.

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thatdutchguy

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#6  Edited By thatdutchguy

He's to scared to ban guns so he's gonna ban videogames and violent movies like Germany.

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alexpiercey

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#7  Edited By alexpiercey

Good. Now, hopefully this will stop getting brought up after every school shooting.

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Thoseposers

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#8  Edited By Thoseposers

burning the roof of your mouth on a delicious calzone really sucks guys :/

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WinterSnowblind

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#9  Edited By WinterSnowblind

@Brodehouse said:

And here is where an entire nation gives up their right to free speech with triumphant applause.

Who's giving up free speech and why would you quote that movie?

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alexpiercey

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#10  Edited By alexpiercey

@thatdutchguy: Where did he say that? Give me a quote.

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tricky69

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#11  Edited By tricky69

Here we go, more useless research...

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GooieGreen

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#12  Edited By GooieGreen

@billyhoush said:

What a waste of 10 million. I guess at the very least it will create some bullshit jobs in academia that may stimulate a bit of the economy.

No, you're right. We as a society know the impact of everything on everything.

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Siphillis

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#13  Edited By Siphillis

Get it on paper, make it official, prove it once and for all: there is no substantial link between extreme homicidal tendencies and violent media.

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colourful_hippie

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#14  Edited By colourful_hippie

OK, now I think this is stupid.

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deactivated-59ec818a3faf4

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This is just silly. It is this dam Rock and Roll that is causing violence and perversion. Someone needs to stop this Elvis Presley before he corrupts or children any further

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tacticalfatty

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#16  Edited By tacticalfatty

@Brodehouse: What free speech are we giving up? It's the announcement of a study.

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@WinterSnowblind said:

@Brodehouse said:

And here is where an entire nation gives up their right to free speech with triumphant applause.

Who's giving up free speech and why would you quote that movie?

Hopefully there's no parallel in a massive ignorant crowd, paralyzed by fear and doubt, extinguishing the one thing that has allowed them to come as far as they have. Free speech fucking matters, and anyone who wants to curtail it for 'safety' is a fucking Sith Lord in disguise.

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deactivated-5e49e9175da37

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@tacticalfatty said:

@Brodehouse: What free speech are we giving up? It's the announcement of a study.

Wait for it.

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superfriend

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#19  Edited By superfriend

Wait, the guy who ordered more drone killings than any other president before him does that?

You´d think someone like that would have no problem with violence in games.. Well, if that will put his mind at ease. If this whole situation gets out of control and you guys end up with fucked up laws like Germany, I hope you fight it as much as possible.

For now: Nanny state: 1 - Any thinking individual: 0

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doublezero

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#20  Edited By doublezero

Having properly funded and well regarded research on this subject can only be a good thing.

I think most of us know that violent media does not make you violent, but people that don't know anything about video games may not. Having science to back this up helps us.

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#21  Edited By DrLove

@Blimble said:

This is just silly. It is this dam Rock and Roll that is causing violence and perversion. Someone needs to stop this Elvis Presley before he corrupts or children any further

this could be a good thing and put an end to this non sense once and for all.

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Jayzilla

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#22  Edited By Jayzilla

With all due respect Mr. President: Get government out of my gaming and movies and religion and sexual life. Start fixing the budget and education and fiscal spending of our government and then maybe we can talk.

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#23  Edited By Milkman

Question: if we as "gamers" or whatever are so sure that there's no link between violence in real life and violence in video games, why are we so afraid of an official study?

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#24  Edited By toowalrus

@Colourful_Hippie said:

OK, now I think this is stupid.

Which part? Let them research it all they want, they're not going to find anything. Or is it the money?

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TruthTellah

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#25  Edited By TruthTellah

This could actually be good.

While it is unfortunate that a study like this is considered necessary, it could potentially be useful for gaming in the long term. A formal study by the CDC with a result reaffirming the reality that violent videogames do not contribute to real world violence could be used by defenders of videogames for years to come. Advocates will be able to point to a study like this and show that the government has already determined that there is no legitimate reason to infringe upon the rights of videogame developers to make the games they desire to make.

Now, in the off chance that the result is not positive, we will all have to consider the results and perhaps reevaluate our understanding of the issue, but for the moment, I see little chance of a study like this not concluding what many others have. That videogames simply do not contribute to real world violence. And if the study can be yet another affirming that, this could actually end up being good for gamers in our continued struggles against the undue restriction of videogames.

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tacticalfatty

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#27  Edited By tacticalfatty

@Brodehouse: Even if they did try to ban violent games how could they? The internet will provide all the shooting we need.

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#28  Edited By BSw

@GooieGreen said:

@billyhoush said:

What a waste of 10 million. I guess at the very least it will create some bullshit jobs in academia that may stimulate a bit of the economy.

No, you're right. We as a society know the impact of everything on everything.

Exactly, let's not at all look seriously into the issue and keep on shouting ungrounded arguments to each other.

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#29  Edited By sammo21

I wonder if we did a background check on the Mexican cartels we sold all those guns to.

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#30  Edited By BigSteve1983

Sorry to piss on Obama's rain and crusade however Violence has been around since cave men time and well there was nothing like movies, TV or Video games back then.

Simply put if people want to murder some dudes, they'll do it regardless and there is nothing that these studies can do about it.

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McGhee

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#31  Edited By McGhee

@Superfriend said:

Wait, the guy who ordered more drone killings than any other president before him does that?

You´d think someone like that would have no problem with violence in games.. Well, if that will put his mind at ease. If this whole situation gets out of control and you guys end up with fucked up laws like Germany, I hope you fight it as much as possible.

For now: Nanny state: 1 - Any thinking individual: 0

Exactly. Isn't a drone attack the truest and realest definition of a "violent videogame?"

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BlastProcessing

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#32  Edited By BlastProcessing

I'm a little bit ashamed that IGN put Crecente, Jim Sterling, and Leigh Alexander amongst the "20 of the top editors, writers, and critics in America". Erik Kain deserves to be amongst that dialogue more than the three hacks mentioned.

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alexpiercey

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#33  Edited By alexpiercey

@Superfriend said:

Wait, the guy who ordered more drone killings than any other president before him does that?

You´d think someone like that would have no problem with violence in games.. Well, if that will put his mind at ease. If this whole situation gets out of control and you guys end up with fucked up laws like Germany, I hope you fight it as much as possible.

For now: Nanny state: 1 - Any thinking individual: 0

Not that I know all that much about U.S. history, but I don't remember George Washington or Abe Lincoln having the opportunity to use drone strikes. It's just the world changing and adapting new technologies. If the U.S had drone strikes available during WWII, would you suggest not using them? Disagree with the war, not the weapon.

I'm sure Obama has also used twitter more than any other president as well.

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#34  Edited By Majkiboy
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#35  Edited By sissylion
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#36  Edited By thatdutchguy

@TooWalrus:

If Obama gives the CDC enough money they will come up with some bullshit reason why violent videogames/movies are the cause of mass shootings like sandy hook.

and then you're fucked.

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#37  Edited By Tychoid

What? How is this possible? I thought only Fox News asked if video games were the cause of violence? Well, if Obama thinks so too, then I guess it might be true....

/stirringthepot

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bricewgilbert

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#38  Edited By bricewgilbert

@Brodehouse: lol again who's giving up free speech? A study is a being done. No one is even saying that if the study gives positive results than they would even do anything. They would need to replicate such results even more. I would be surprised if that were possible considering the research so far, but there is nothing wrong with fine tuning around knowledge. Being sure about something. This brings up a scary thought too. What if violent video games DO cause people of a certain age to act violent? I don't believe this, but what if it was conclusive? Would you still scream free speech? We are talking about children here and we do curtail certain rights for them.

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billyhoush

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#39  Edited By billyhoush

@GooieGreen said:

@billyhoush said:

What a waste of 10 million. I guess at the very least it will create some bullshit jobs in academia that may stimulate a bit of the economy.

No, you're right. We as a society know the impact of everything on everything.

My point is they already have studied it and there are current studies in progress. Obama just did this to try to shut up the NRA's use of scapegoating video games. There is nothing wrong with trying to appease everyone and 10 million really isn't that much money. It's just eye rolling bullshit politics.

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deactivated-59ec818a3faf4

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@DrLove: No it wont. If it comes out showing any link no mater how small every media organisation will go mad about killer video games if it doesn't it will be barely reported and the idiots who spout that video games cause violence wont listen anyway.

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#41  Edited By smitty86

I always enjoy when the 1st couple of comment pages are just people going batshit crazy. Always a good sign of things to come.

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Phished0ne

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#42  Edited By Phished0ne

@Milkman said:

Question: if we as "gamers" or whatever are so sure that there's no link between violence in real life and violence in video games, why are we so afraid of an official study?

Because there's already been so many studies. They all say the same thing: "Sure video games can cause some violent tendencies but its not enough evidence to show a causal link"

Plus, studies are bullshit. Especially when conducted by government offices. Its so easy to omit facts or twist them to make it go your way. Plus, the public has no interest in reading the actual findings, so they will just read the news reports that saty "oh there may be a link between violent media and violence in children" without understanding all the caveats.

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Slaegar

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#43  Edited By Slaegar
The same people who think the earth is four thousand years old are the ones appointed to do this study, and they are the same people who cause these messes. Obviously the real answer to this is to pray to aliens and ban all media containing fire arms.
The same people who think the earth is four thousand years old are the ones appointed to do this study, and they are the same people who cause these messes. Obviously the real answer to this is to pray to aliens and ban all media containing fire arms.
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#44  Edited By Brendan

@GooieGreen said:

@billyhoush said:

What a waste of 10 million. I guess at the very least it will create some bullshit jobs in academia that may stimulate a bit of the economy.

No, you're right. We as a society know the impact of everything on everything.

As gamers, we know. We just do. Fuck you for using science to analyse something that my own personal experience as proven to be false, beyond all shadow of a doubt.

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hagridore

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#45  Edited By hagridore

And in 1974 Kiss made all our kids worship the devil. We've been at this for years! I say just try to ban games, music, movies, & comics. Try or shut up.

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Luck702

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#46  Edited By Luck702

Meanwhile I can purchase an AR-15 and unlimited amounts of ammo from the internet.

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SpicyRichter

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#47  Edited By SpicyRichter

Asking the CDC to do the study?

Doesn't the CDC have anything better to do?

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FCDRandy

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#48  Edited By FCDRandy

You can have my stupid video games when you pry them from my cold dead hands.

Except, of course, that no one is suggesting that at all.

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@sissylion said:

Man, it's going to be a real bummer for you guys when the research reveals that there's totally a connection between the consumption of violent media and the expression of violence.

I mean, except for the stuff that already exists. Of which there is a lot.

Because of course there is. Because if I'm a violent fuck who wants to kill people, why wouldn't I involve myself in media that involves killing people? In the same way if that I'm the type of person who kidnaps babies, I'm probably watching a lot of programming about parenting and babies. Neither justifies censorship.

As for studies that talk about desensitization or 'proper response' to violence, I find those studies to be intrinsically flawed and a little short-sighted. You become desensitized to anything upon experience, especially consecutive experience. What is 'proper emotional affect' as pertains violence? Hysteria? Fear? Detachment? Anger? There's a reason why most in the scientific communities look at the 'social sciences' with ... well, quotation marks.

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turboman

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#50  Edited By turboman

It's a conversation worth having and investigating. The last time this research was done, we weren't staring into the enemies eyes while slitting their throats in high definition. Anything to help stop the senseless gun shootings in America.