A Delay in the Michigan Violent Games Law

TecnaDigit writes "The ESA and the VSDA have achieved a small victory in the case against Michigan Senate Bill 416. According to Game Daily Biz, Michigan Judge George Caram Steeh (who himself seems a bit skeptical of the bill) passed an injunction holding it for consideration. In other words, while the bill is under examination it won't be passed into law. Originally, the law was supposed to commence on December 1st, 2005. Though the battle for this case is far from over, it is a bit of silver lining."

Comments

I don't get it

[Fissure_FS2]

What's the difference between preventing minors from getting M-rated games and preventing them from getting porn, cigarettes, or alcohol? It makes sense to have consistent standards about keeping questionable materials out of the hands of children.

Re:Someone pinch me.

[RandoX]

I disagree that the government should get involved with issues that should be a parent's job. Who defines what is "ultra-violent"? Does this mean that hotels will require you to come down to the lobby with photo ID before allowing you to play in-room games, or will they all be G rated puzzle games from now on? I disagree with the general assumption that violent games are the cause of violent behavior in the first place. The bill bases some criteria on "contemporary local community standards". Does this mean that what is acceptable in Detroit is not acceptable in smaller towns? Too many variables for what I perceive as a non-solution anyway.

I don't have a big problem with this bill...

[Flaming Babies]

I'll assume that I'm in the minority on this one.
The penalties may be a little stiff...
there is no good reason that the penalties would be worse for selling games.
(Texas came up first with a Google search, so that's what I'm going with.)
Sale of Alcohol to a Minor:
Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $4000;
confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year;
or both fine and confinement.

Purchase of Alcohol for a Minor or Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor:
Class B misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2000;
confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days;
or both fine and confinement.

I'm not sure if I'm missing the point here, or not...
I love my violent video games and don't believe they have the right to stop me, as an adult, from playing them.
If they can't punish stores that sell to minors, and people that help minors get their hands on the games, why have the games rated?