The Utah House of Representatives has passed a bill that would classify violent games in basically the same category as pornography. The bill passed 56-8 even though representatives said it likely would be deemed unconstitutional.
A similar law in California was stopped in its tracks when U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte halted the measure to place fines on those who sold violent games to those under age 18. The same kind of law was also struck down in Illinois.
The questionable Utah law should go before that state’s Senate next month.
Even though there's still no evidence of a direct link between video game violence and acts of violence committed in real-life, (Rep. David) Hogue suggested that playing violent games leads to "automatic learning of aggressive behavior," and that violent games have played a role in school shootings. "Would these same kids have done this anyway without watching violent videos? Maybe not," he said, referring to the Columbine massacre.
Hogue also took issue with Take-Two Interactive's upcoming game, Bully. "You can get even with bullies. You take a baseball bat and beat up their heads," he said. "It is going to show kids how to respond in school. Is this what we want our kids doing?"
Game Daily
It sounds like Jack Thompson’s been coaching Rep. Hogue and providing him with lots of good, but ill-informed one-liners.
Regardless of where his ideas have come from, Houge follows a long line of state and federal lawmakers who seem hell bent on trying to pass laws they know will go no where, wasting government time and taxpayers’ money. Rather than lead, they choose to follow and throw up smokescreens that divert the general public’s attention away from the real issues: crime and punishment, overcrowded schools, an uncertain future as the war on terrorism wages on.
It seems these so-called lawmakers are incapable of actually bringing substance to their offices by handling the issues that truly demand attention. They would rather settle for jumping on bandwagons they view as popular, even if they are destined to fail.
On the upside for gamers and people with common sense, the court system has overturned each of these laws as they’ve come down the pike and recent polls have shown that many adults (yes, the folks that can vote these talking heads out of office) would prefer to have the censorship rights for their children left in their own capable hands.
At some point maybe politicians will get a clue and actually start focusing their attention on the things that really matter. I’m not holding my breath though.
I’d love to hear from other gamers and see how they feel about this issue. What do you think about these proposed laws? Is it fair to put a fine on those who sell games? Should parents retain the ultimate right of censorship? Would government control of game ratings and sales turn the industry into a joke where watered-down versions of games are the only ones released? Are restriction laws really not a big deal?
Speak your mind by heading to our forums!
Related:
California Judge Strikes Video Game Law
Opinion: Say 'No' To Family Entertainment Protection Act
Irish Crackdown on Violent/Explicit Games
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