US politician defends games in gun crime debate

Californian Democrat and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has said scientific evidence suggests violent media is not at the root of the US's disproportionate rate of gun crime.

"The evidence says that, in Japan, for example, they have the most violent games and the lowest death - mortality - from guns," Pelosi said during FOX News Sunday, as reported the Huffington Post.

"I don't know what the explanation is for that except they may have good gun laws."

Pelosi was referring to recent statistics demonstrating that the largest video game markets often correlate with very low gun crime rates, with the US proving a major exception - and also laying claim to the loosest gun control laws.

The Democrats have called for further scientific research into the relationship between popular culture and gun violence. Fox's Chris Wallace suggested the Democrats don't need to spend federal money on research, commenting that "we know" something nebulous about violent video games, and that Pelosi should simply go to her "friends in Hollywood" and "shame them into action".

In the wake of violent gun crimes such as the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre of late last year, media and politicians have historically pointed the finger at comics, games and movies; this year, the US seems likely to enact new gun control legislation instead. Opinion is divided; use our "violence in games" tag for more coverage of this issue.

Thanks, The PA Report.