In the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., some politicians wonder if violent video games might’ve had something to do with it—even before it was learned the killer played such games. A few days after the killing, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (D-WV) introduced a bill that would require the National Academy of Sciences to release a report about how violent video games impact children. “At times [such as] this, we need to take a comprehensive look at all the ways we can keep our kids safe,” he said. “I have long expressed concern about the impact of the violent content our kids see and interact with every day.” (USA Today)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.