Video games discussed after shooting

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Gun control isn't the only issue being debated in the aftermath of the Newtown, Conn. shooting.

There is a renewed debate under way involving violent video games. At issue: Do violent video games lead to violent behavior in children?

It is unclear whether Newtown gunman Adam Lanza ever played violent video games. But the shooting rampage has re-ignited the debate around gaming.

One group, GamerFitNation, is even calling for a national day of online shooting "cease fire" this Friday to show respect for the Newtown victims.

Locally, Indiana Congressman Elect Luke Messer says banning violent video games would be a good thing.

“I do think we need to look at things like these violent video games. Unfortunately it is a common thread through all these terrible tragic circumstances that have occurred,” said Messer.

The violent gaming debate goes back years. In 2005, 24-Hour News 8 conducted an in-depth examination of the issue that included scientific research being done at Indiana University. Brain scans were taken of teens that had just played a violent video game.  The scans were compared to teens that had not. The study found the teens that had been exposed to the violent games were less able to make good decisions and exercise self control.

“I think in the past seven years much of the new research has validated what we were finding back in 2005,” said IU Dr. Bill Kronenberger. “When you look at groups of teenagers and children, violent video game play is associated with aggressive thoughts and feelings and aggressive behavior in the group.”

Dr. Kronenberger says different children exhibit different levels of aggression after playing the same violent games. Not everyone agrees with the research, though. A psychologist at Texas A&M conducted his own studies. Chris Ferguson found violent videos do not lead to violence.