67% of Americans Disagree with 7-Member Brown v. EMA Majority

July 6th, 2011

From Rasmussen:

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that two-out-of-three American Adults (67%) believe states should be allowed to prohibit the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. Just 28% disagree. (To see survey question wording,click here.)

While strongly supporting laws prohibiting the sale of violent video games to children, Americans feel more strongly than ever that parents are more responsible than the government for limiting the amount of sex and violence children are exposed to in those games – by a 79% to four percent (4%) margin. Fifteen percent (15%) think the video game makers are more responsible.

Thirty-nine percent (39%) say those game makers should be held liable in court, however, if it can be shown that their games led to someone committing a violent act. But that’s down from 44% in April of last year. Slightly more (45%) now feel the video game makers should not be liable in such cases. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided.

Unsurprisingly, the questions are phrased entirely to focus on the social costs of video game violence, totally ignoring the liberty interests of the First Amendment, even to minors.

1* How concerned are you about the level of violence in many video games today?

2* Do violent video games lead to more violence in our society?

3* Should states be allowed to prohibit the sale or rental of violent video games to minors?

4* Who is more responsible for limiting the amount of sex and violence children are exposed to in video games – video game makers, the government or parents?

5* Should the makers of violent video games be held liable in court if it can be shown that their games led to someone committing a violent act?

I wonder whether people would be willing to join Justice Thomas’ dissent, whereby virtually all rights for minors are rolled back? Or Justice Breyers’ dissent?

H/T @DeclanM