German Retail Chain Pulls 18+ Rated Titles

Germany’s largest retailer, Galeria Kaufhof, reacting to a horrific school shooting last week, has decided to not to stock films or games that carry an 18+ rating. Beginning in April, these mature rated products will be pulled from shelves as the country comes to grips with one of the worst school shootings in recent memory.

The move was no doubt spurred on by media reports and local politicians looking for a reason for the shooting: One reason according to those cricles was the shooter’s fascination with Counter Strike.

Last week 17 year old Tim Kretschmer, gunned down opened fire in three classrooms at the school, killing eight girls and a boy, and three female teachers. Seven students were wounded by the shooter. The ordeal at the Albertville secondary school in Winnenden was only the beginning as Kretschmer went on a three hour shooting spree killing a total of 15 people.

Stephan Reichart, managing director at German video game developers association G.A.M.E. told Reuters that this move by the retailer is an overreaction and that it would do better to make sure that its cashiers don’t sell mature rated products to people under the age of 18.