Poll: Most Americans Think States Should Control Sale Of Violent Video Games

A majority of Americans believe that states should have the ability to control the sale of violent video games, according to a poll from Rasmussen Reports.

67 percent of respondents said that states should be allowed to prohibit retailers from selling violent video games to minors and only 28 percent said that they should not be.

The poll was conducted just days after the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that a California law banning sales to minors was unconstitutional.

“For better or worse, our society has long regarded many depictions of killing and maiming4 as suitable features of popular entertainment, including entertainment that is widely available to minors,” Associate Justice Samuel Alito said in his written opinion.

Despite the public’s apparent disagreement with the ruling however, 79 percent of respondents said that the primary responsibility for shielding children from controversial video games should fall on parents, not the government.

The poll was conducted among 1,000 adults between June 29 and 30th. It also found that 65 percent responded that they are at least “somewhat concerned” over violent video games, with 55 percent responding that they believe they ultimately lead to a more violent society.