Could 'GTA V' Be Banned in Wake of Tragic Shooting?

As far as the general public is concerned, the Grand Theft Auto franchise has long been the poster child for video game violence. With the recent Sandy Hook shooting tragedy still fresh in the minds of the nation, politicians are looking to video games, once again, as the source of this senseless act of violence. With the release of GTA V looming in early 2013, guess who’s getting their attention?

Yep, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin is pointing at GTA V as a game that should be banned, because of violence found in it, and “what it promotes”. According to the Senator in a recent interview, Manchin says “Look at Grand Theft Auto, put out by Rockstar Games in New York City and see what it promotes. Shouldn’t that be looked into and maybe be banned?”

While Manchin wants to ban the video game, he goes on to praise the NRA (National Rifle Association) for how they’ve delt with the recent tragedy. Being that Manchin referred to the deep pocketed gun control lobbying group as his “friends”, it’s probably safe to assume that the Senator is somewhat biased in how he came to the conclusion that violent video games are at the root of this tragic event.

Assuming politicians don’t ban it, GTA V is due out this spring on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

In other news - GTA V: Three main protagonists revealed in new art
Players will reportedly use the characters in "groundbreaking" ways.

Grand Theft Auto V will feature three main protagonists that players will use in "groundbreaking" ways.

That's according to the December issue of Game Informer, which carries an 18-page cover feature on the game.

The possibility of three main characters was first hinted at in the original GTA V trailer, in which three characters are shown storming a building in pest control uniforms.

The gun-toting pest control workers were shown again wearing gas masks in GTA V art. The character on the far right, who might be an East Coast gangster struggling to escape the life of crime, can be seen pulling out a gas mask.

The character on the far left was featured in the recently released GTA V quad bike art, and it's been speculated that the character in the middle is the same one seen running from cops in the initial GTA V reveal trailer.

Source: ATTACKOFTHEFANBOY