Polygon is reporting that residents of Southington, a small community around 30 miles from the site of last month’s horrific shooting, has launched what it is calling The Violent Video Games Return Program.
The event is set to take place on January 12th and will offer $25 gift certificates in exchange for violent video games, music and movies. The items collected will then be incinerated.
The event is being organized by the SouthingtonSOS, a collection of community organizations that includes the Chamber of Commerce, YMCA, board of education, fire department, town officials, United Way and local clergy. The group was formed in the aftermath of 2005's Hurricane Katrina as a way for the community to quickly organize help in the wake of national and local tragedies.
The idea for the return program came about a month after the deadly Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Connecticut that left 28 dead, 20 of which were children.
“[There is a] need for parents to have a real, sound conversation with their children about video games," Southington School superintendent Joe Erardi told Polygon.
“There are youngsters who appear to be consumed with violent video games. I'm not certain if that's a good thing. If this encourages one courageous conversation with a parent and their child, then it's a success.
"We're suggesting that for parents who have a child or children who play violent video games, to first of all view the games. We're asking parents to better understand what their child is doing. Have a conversation about next steps. If parents are comfortable (with their child's gaming habits), we're comfortable."
"The group's action is not intended to be construed as statement declaring that violent video games were the cause of the shocking violence in Newtown on December 14th." an official SouthingtonSOS statement added.
"Rather, SouthingtonSOS is saying is that there is ample evidence that violent video games, along with violent media of all kinds, including TV and movies portraying story after story showing a continuous stream of violence and killing, has contributed to increasing aggressiveness, fear, anxiety and is desensitizing our children to acts of violence including bullying.
“Social and political commentators, as well as elected officials including the president, are attributing violent crime to many factors including inadequate gun control laws, a culture of violence and a recreational culture of violence."
The National Rifle Association has partially blamed violent video games and other violent entertainment for the recent Connecticut school shooting. A Democratic Senator introduced legislation in Congress that would direct the National Academy of Sciences to study the impact of violent video games and other content on children. Even a group of gamers came together for a momentary online cease fire in first-person shooters. The renewed interest in the impact of violent gaming on children comes just over a year after the United States Supreme Court confirmed video games' status as a protected medium under the First Amendment.