A Concurrent Resolution expressing opposition to the entertainment industry's profiteering from depictions of violence in entertainment products.

Whereas, Recently, a group of television and film celebrities issued a public service announcement (PSA) calling on government officials to address the important issue of gun violence in the United States; and

Whereas, The Legislature agrees with the sentiment expressed and notes that, especially in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, there is much we can do as individuals to combat the culture of violence that besets the United States; and

Whereas, Many scientific studies have been conducted over several decades to examine the interplay between depictions of violence in the media and other entertainment on aggressive behavior; and

Whereas, Scientific evidence from these studies have been integrated and summarized in narrative reviews (qualitative) and in meta-analytic reviews (quantitative); and

Whereas, All qualitative and quantitative studies regarding media or entertainment violence and aggression have come to the same conclusion, that depictions of violence desensitize the viewer and increase aggression; and

Whereas, In light of the recent tragedies and the ongoing desensitization of United States citizens caused by violence portrayed in media and entertainment, the Legislature urges all responsible television and film celebrities and their colleagues in the entertainment industry to publicly pledge to refrain from appearing in, promoting, or profiting from entertainment products that depict the violent use of handguns, semi-automatic weapons or "assault weapon" style rifles; and

Whereas, The Legislature further urges the corporations that comprise the entertainment and media industries to pledge to voluntarily refrain from producing, promoting, and profiting from entertainment products that depict the violent use of handguns, semi-automatic weapons or "assault weapon" style rifles; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The Legislature urges all responsible television and film celebrities, together with all entertainment and media corporations, to publicly pledge to refrain from appearing in, promoting, or profiting from entertainment products that depict the violent use of handguns, semi-automatic weapons, or "assault weapon" style rifles.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and Speaker of the General Assembly and attested to by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be sent to the organization "Mayors Against Illegal Guns," which produced the public service announcement "Demand a Plan," and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the founders of "Mayors Against Illegal Guns."

STATEMENT

On December 14, 2012, a violent young man stormed into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and murdered six adults and 20 children. In an effort to urge government to take steps to reduce gun violence, the organization "Mayors Against Illegal Guns" produced the public service announcement "Demand a Plan," in which several celebrities appeared and called upon government officials to take action in response to increased gun violence. The Legislature agrees with the sentiment expressed in the "Demand a Plan" announcement and notes that there is much we can do as individuals to combat the culture of violence that besets the United States.

Many scientific studies have been conducted over several decades to examine the interplay between depictions of violence in the media and other entertainment on aggressive behavior. All qualitative and quantitative studies regarding media or entertainment violence and aggression have come to the same conclusion: depictions of violence desensitize the viewer and increases aggression.

Government intervention with respect to gun violence can be effective, but remains inherently limited. In light of the recent tragedies and the ongoing desensitization of United States citizens caused by violence portrayed in media and entertainment, this resolution urges all responsible television and film celebrities and their colleagues in the entertainment industry publicly pledge to refrain from appearing in, promoting, or profiting from entertainment products that depict the violent use of handguns, semi-automatic weapons or "assault weapon" style rifles.