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Judge Blocks Ban on Violent Video Game Sales

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the games-still-apparently-the-root-of-all-evil dept.

dada21 writes "SFGate is reporting that a federal judge recently blocked a new California law that would have banned the sale of violent video games to minors. From the article: 'Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had signed the bill by Assemblyman Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, to ban the sale or rental of especially violent video games to children under 18 years old unless there is parental approval. The law was to take effect Jan. 1.'"

7 of 242 comments (clear)

  1. Being a parent. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    " From the article: 'Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had signed the bill by Assemblyman Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, to ban the sale or rental of especially violent video games to children under 18 years old unless there is parental approval. The law was to take effect Jan. 1.'""

    In other words. Parents should be responsable for their kids. So were's the problem again?

    1. Re:Being a parent. by Deathbane27 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Problem one: This bill allowed for the determination of whether the game is "too violent" to take place AFTER the sale. Rated T for Teen? Sure, I'll sell this to a 17-year-old. ...$10,000? WTF?

      Problem two: Remind me why we don't fine people for selling violent books, movies, magazines, newspapers, music, etc. to minors. If we're going to restrict free speech we need to restrict all forms of it.

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  2. p2p by earthstar · · Score: 5, Insightful
    If the law is enacted, retailers could be fined up to $1,000 per violation for selling adults-only games to a minor. Manufacturers and distributors would be responsible for designating games for adult sale only.

    Well,If 'kids' are'nt allowed to buy a particular game due to age restrictions,what stops them from downloading from p2p/bittorrent?

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  3. Re:So how is that going for ya? by pkphilip · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So what do you suggest - that we remove any such limitations? allow tobacco companies to target children?

    We have laws against murder - that is not working too well either. Shall we go ahead and repeal those as well?

    Exactly how your comment got modded as "Interesting" baffles me!

  4. Precedent by spiritraveller · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "We don't allow kids to buy cigarettes or alcohol or look at pornography," he said. "There are already situations in which we as society have said we have to protect kids by limiting what they can do."

    Cigarettes and alcohol don't involve speech or expression.

    And as far as pornography, it may be true that Mr. Yee doesn't let his kids look at it. But that's not the constitutinal standard. The Supreme Court has already overruled the Communications Decency Act, which required adult websites to verify age before displaying any "pornographic" content.

    Typical legislative mentality. Ignore the constitution... just do what makes you look good and let the courts sort it out.

  5. Re:Idiot Judge by Zakabog · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So the judge doesn't think I have a right to decide what my child has access to?

    Actually the judge does think you have a right to decide what your child has access to, the judge doesn't think you have a right to decide what MY child has access to.

  6. The Bible... by hkmwbz · · Score: 5, Insightful
    "Remind me why we don't fine people for selling violent books, movies, magazines, newspapers, music, etc. to minors."
    Yeah... Banning the Bible. Sounds like something that simply won't happen.
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