No, the games are not at fault - there is a clear distinction (unless you are mentally unstable) between video game fantasy and reality and suffice it to say that if you pick up a gun to shoot someone, unless you are in a militarized combat zone, you probably aren't dealing with a full deck.
2 or 3 bricks short of a load
1 or 2 cans short of a six pack
have a screw or two loose
the lights are on but no one is home
You get the idea.
While this is certainly an interesting news story, why not discuss an even bigger issue that is more or less ignored these days and is sure to take far more lives than will be taken due to the side influence of the game GTA.
Alcohol abuse.
Far more people will die this year (and probably this month) as a result of alcohol related auto accidents, domestic violence, alcohol poisoning, and just plain alcohol induced poor judgement, than will ever die due to some obscure and unmeasurable influence of a mature, violent video game.
Just because the news media sensationalizes a story, it doesn't mean that there is a widespread problem related to it. We are talking about a handful (less than 10?) incidents nation wide in a nation of millions. That's a miniscule percentage - I think I'll take my chances.
More people will die as a result of falling off of a ladder. Maybe we should ban ladders and their use.
Many, MANY more people will die as a result of medical malpractice. SHUT DOWN THE MEDICAL SCHOOLS!!!!!
More interesting statistics regard the number of people who die every year as a result of bee stings as opposed to the number that die as a result of shark attack - but bee stings aren't really newsworthy - a shark attack is. Heck, I would be willing to bet that more kids die every year due to an allergic reaction to peanuts than will die from shark attacks or GTA influenced violence combined. STOP THE PEANUT FARMERS!!!!!!
Heck, I would be willing to bet that more old farts die every year from heart attacks while shoveling snow or mowing the lawn! Oh, the attocity of it all!
But again, that sort of story just isn't news worthy, and you don't hear of anyone trying to sue the shovel/lawnmower companies or the hardware stores that distribute them.
Regarding old farts and things that bring about their untimely demise, there is actually a statistic somewhere regarding old farts who die as a result of complications caused from straining while sitting on the can!
Here's another one for you. More people are killed or seriously injured annually by coconuts than by sharks. That's right, coconuts. Say you are on the beach, lounging under a coconut tree, enjoying the balmy day and the soft breeze.....a breeze that causes the coconut to fall from the tree and onto your noggin!
While I agree that my son won't be getting his copy of GTA anytime in the near or distant future, he's only 11 after all and unlike some parents, I do pay attention to the maturity ratings, but I just don't see the game itself as being the problem.