Some people like it when public officials respond to actual problems affecting their community. Some legislators, on the other hand, prefer to grandstand on hot-button issues that might not solve problems but could help win re-election.

New York State Senate Republicans this week introduced legislation that would make it a felony to commit violence for display on Internet video sites. It’s unclear how this would change things for violent people, because prosecutors can already bring felony charges against them, whether they’re shooting video or not.

So what’s the point? Why do we need an Internet violence law that won’t necessarily change criminal behavior? We contacted Joe Conway, a New York senate staffer, to find out.

Conway said the legislation is meant as a response to controversial films, like Bumfights, and other video sometimes transferred through the Web that seem to glorify or incite senseless violence. “Kids here in New York, in our state, are viewing this stuff. Therefore, that’s an issue of concern to us,” he said.

Conway didn’t specifically blame Internet video providers, like YouTube, for the proliferation of violent video. But he did say that Internet companies could do more to keep violent video off the Web. “I think they’re headed in the right direction. And like any company, they want to be recognized as trying to do the right thing,” he said.

YouTube, for one, says it’s already doing the right thing. Asked about the New York proposal, a company spokesperson said in an email that “real violence is not allowed” on the site.

“Our community polices the site for inappropriate material, and users flag content that they feel is inappropriate,” the spokesperson said. “Once flagged, content is reviewed by our staff and usually removed from the system within minutes if it violates our Community Guidelines.”

Let’s face it: Society sometimes actually benefits when violent video is spread through the Internet, and other media. One man’s video of the Rodney King beating brought to light deep racial tension in Los Angeles and produced clear evidence of police brutality. And watchers were given a chilling demonstration of how someone reacts when shot with a non-lethal Taser when videos of two incidents of unruly students being publicly disciplined were posted online and widely publicized.

Obviously, New York’s Internet violence legislation affects only a microscopic group of people: those really depraved souls who would stage an assault to post video on the web. As for the rest of us, we can rightly wonder about this law: Who really needs it?