An AP report released today reveals that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and supporters are working to ban the sale of violent video games in Venezuela.

Supporters of the bill claim that it will reduce violence among Venezuela’s youth, which, proponents say, is a huge problem. Last year the Texas-sized country averaged 152 homicides a week, with 7,900 for the year.

Opponents of the legislation say that it’s just a PR move for Hugo Chavez. They say it won’t actually do anything to decrease violence, as studies have shown that video games do not cause aggressive behavior in children. The successful black market for pirated games also undermines the bill, they claim, because it ensures that violent games will remain in circulation.

The populace of Venezuela seems to be divided on the issue, with parents supporting the bill, and their children opposing it. Arny Gonzalez, a 17-year old high school student asked, “Video games aren’t the problem, criminals are the problem. Why don’t they go after them?” Jenny Rangel, a video game café manager disagreed with him, saying that with violent games, “the message for them [Young players] is that you must shoot and kill”.

The bill is currently being considered by the Venezuelan national assembly and will go to final vote in a few weeks.