Governor Signs Violent Videogames Bill

Disposable Hero

Today California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a hotly contested bill that would ban the sale of violent videogames to minors and impose a fine of up to $1000 on retailers caught violating the law. The bill will take effect January 1st.

"This gets the parents involved in the decision-making process," the governor said. "I believe as an actor in the ratings system. It is very important to protect children."

Assemblyman Lee, who sponsored the bill, said, "Unlike movies where you passively watch violence, in a video game, you are the active participant and making decisions on who to stab, maim, burn or kill," said Assemblyman Leland Yee, the San Francisco Democrat who authored the bill. "As a result, these games serve as learning tools that have a dramatic impact on our children."

ESA president Doug Lowenstein released a statement today saying: "We are disappointed that politicians of both parties chose to toss overboard the First Amendment and free artistic and creative expression in favor of political expediency. AB 1179 is punitive against retailers, will waste limited taxpayer dollars, and when it is struck down by the courts, as has been the fate of similar statutes, parents will be no better off for this effort to damage one of the state's fastest growing and most exciting industries that is providing some of the most compelling entertainment in the world today.

The ESA vows to fight back: "ESA intends to file a lawsuit to strike this law down and we are confident that we will prevail."
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It'll be interesting to see if this bill goes well. If it does I can see it becoming a nation, or even global, thing. I hope it doesn't though.

"Unlike movies where you passively watch violence, in a video game, you are the active participant and making decisions on who to stab, maim, burn or kill," said Assemblyman Leland Yee, the San Francisco Democrat who authored the bill. "As a result, these games serve as learning tools that have a dramatic impact on our children."

I love that. The games where those types of things happen aren't ment for children. Why do children even play violent games? Because parents let them. I'm tired of games being used as scapegoats to hide bad parenting.

I wouldn't have a problem with this bill if the reason was a little different and it included movies as well. Retailers probably shouldn't sell games and movies to underage children. The whole thing is a bit one-sided. Espically when you consider the fact that the governer is a former movie star, but that's just me being paranoid. Or is it?

JsnakeJ

Thats bullshit, even if I am old enough to buy them myself without worry I still think its wrong not to sell them to kids. We all grow up on those games and I don't want the next generation to not be able to say the same.