A Tennessee lawmaker has taken the anti-gaming bandwagon and pushed it over the edge while figuratively stomping all over First Amendment rights as well.
Rather than attempt to restrict sales of “violent video games” to minors, State Sen. Tommy Kilby wants to make it illegal for stores in the Volunteer State to sell or rent violent games to anyone.
Yup, that’s right. A full ban on violent games would result if approved. That means not even a 70-year-old grandma could buy a new GTA title in the lovely state of Tennessee if this guy’s bill actually passed and held up in court. (Of course, the passage and court approval of this proposal is about as likely as catching George Bush and Bin Laden taking in a round of golf together. Thank goodness!)
Kilby says he put the bill together after getting feedback from concerned parents and law enforcement officials.
The bill states games depicting violence against anyone including authority figures, such as police, should be outlawed.
WATE, Channel 6 News
Although there are no details as to how Sen. Kilby intends to enforce this beyond the crime would be a misdemeanor, the basic premise is incredibly ridiculous. By Kilby’s description games running the entire gamut would be banned in Tennessee. From Grand Theft Auto to Pokemon, just about every shooter or action-type game would not make the muster. Neither would most RPGs.
The entire proposal is very disheartening, anti-American and simply a preposterous waste of Tennessee taxpayers’ money.
The biggest problem with this version of the now-all-too-familiar anti-game law is the outright attempt to make it illegal to sell games, frankly most games beyond some sports and educational titles.
This is censorship plain and simple.
I suppose at least Sen. Kilby should be applauded for not trying to thinly veil the censorship by calling it an age-related ban. But still, America's elected offiicals are supposed to defend and protect the U.S. Constitution and the rights of the people they represent, not spit on them.
Related:
Anti-Game Law Passes Utah House (Opinion)
California Judge Strikes Video Game Law
Opinion: Say 'No' To Family Entertainment Protection Act
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