CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) -
You could see a higher price tag on violent video games in Missouri.
Missouri Republican Representative Diane Franklin proposed to add a 1 percent sales tax on violent video games rated teen, mature, and adult only.
"It definitely won't keep me from buying video games, violent video games," said Ron Bowling.
"I mean I'll continue buying them," said Rhonda Penrod.
Gamers said an added 1 percent tax won't deter them from buying their games.
Penrod is a mother of two and wants the games, but not the tax.
"I think it's nonsense because the parents are just going to spend more money to get the games, the parents play the games theirselves," said Penrod.
Rosemary Muse is also a mother and said she supports the tax.
"I believe they should raise the tax on any killing games," said Muse.
Muse and her son sold back his violent video games. She doesn't mind some games, like car racing, but doesn't approve of those that show killing.
"We don't want them in the house anymore, we just don't want them anywhere near us, we do not need to promote killing people," said Muse.
Muse said she understands the games have a place in society, but not in her home.
"For military to learn tactics great, for our children and young adults, no, it just promotes violence," said Muse.
Southeast Missouri State Professor Jeremy Heider said he's glad someone wants to do something, but doesn't know if this proposal is the answer.
He said there are a lot of influences on a kid's violence behavior, and lawmakers can't just pin it on violent video games.
"I think oftentimes we sort of use that as an excuse to kind of overlook some of the other damaging influences," said Heider.
Some argue the games are no worse than the rest of society.
"The violence is on the news, movies, on everything you watch, I don't think it's just the video games," said Penrod.
"When it comes to violent video games I really think there's nothing to worry about, it's just like movies, anything else," said Dustin Reagan.
But Heider said games have a different component.
"Watching a movie is a much more passive activity, I'm just sort of witnessing something violent, but in a video game environment, it's much more active environment, I'm actually causing violent things to happen," said Heider.
And others said the games, aren't doing anything at all.
"It's not the video games that make people do things violent, it's the people themselves that decide to do it," said Bowling.
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