Illinois Gov. Seeks Violent Video Game Ban 651
Foobar_Zen writes "Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois has apparently decided to build on past "wins". He seeks to impose legislation that will prohibit the distribution, sale, rental and availability of mature video games to children younger than 18. Breaking of this law would be punishable by up to one year in prison or a $5,000 fine." From the article: "The Illinois Retail Merchants Association blasted the governor's proposal as a way for retailers to become "the violence and sensitivity police for the state of Illinois." Update: 12/16 21:14 GMT by Z : Lum's take on this over at Broken Toys is excellent.
Re:Availability? (Score:3, Informative)
I don't know the exact wording of the law, but I doubt it. I think this would work the same way movies work (at least here in Canada). No, a 16 year old can't get into the latest R rated flick, however, if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian they can. Its the same for rentals as well.
I'll have to check, but I think the same circumstances apply to alcohol, though that is regulated provincially here. I seem to remember being told that an underage person can drink if the alcohol is supplied by a parent/guardian though it can't happen in a public establishment (bar, restaurant, etc).
Alright you primitive screw heads, listen up... (Score:1, Informative)
This is not a ban.
Blagojevich Is Evil (Score:3, Informative)
As a resident of the Chicago area, I have to say, it seems like Blagojevich is out to destroy business in Illinois. First raising the tolls for truck drivers, and now he's about to cripple the video game business in Illinois!
This guy has had tons of static from the Illinois Congress regarding many issues such as passing the budget and getting medicine from Canada! I hope they fight him tooth and nail on this one too.
Plus, this will hurt more than just video game retailers. What about arcades? Is he just going to put an age limit on who can get in there because of game violence? Most of the people in arcades are under the age of 18 anyways.
Re:America's Army (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Consolidating your base (Score:3, Informative)
No violent videogames.
No Christmas holiday celebration.
No Easter either.
No public celebration of any Christmas holiday. Heck, make it a Federal felony to enter a Federal building, or heck, perhaps any public place, with any Christian symbol or anything associated with a Christian holiday.
No prayer in school (if a kid is caught praying, expel him and permanently ban him from public education - or perhaps permanently exile him to gulag style "opportunity schools".)
No sugary or fatty foods.
No meat.
No alcohol.
No leather.
No fur.
No cars except for the most utilitarian, stripped down ones possible.
No gun ownership.
No allowing English speaking to be a job requirement. If your customers can't buy something in your store because they can't communicate - too bad.
Ordering women to get abortions if they have any politically incorrect health habits. Pro-choice only goes one-way for a true liberal - the choice to HAVE a kid is not a respected choice.
Not allowing stay at home moms. Make it economically infeasible, but if someone still manages, claim that home mothering and not putting kids in daycare will result in them being unsocialized, loners who aren't given the politically correct indoctrination that society wants - so put those mothers in prison for "abuse" (they aren't "getting a proper environment", being raised at home instead of outside the home) and put their kids up for adoption.
Extreme left is just as bad as extreme right.
In the UK, no... (Score:5, Informative)
The laws only apply to sale and distribution - for example, it's illegal for a minor to buy an 18 rated game, but it's perfectly fine for their parents (if they think it's sutiable) to buy it on their behalf, and them allow them to play it, as you suggest.
Re:The problem is in the punishment (Score:2, Informative)
The one place they have generally been sucessful, however, is when the strict liability concerns "sex and violence," to the extent that what would otherwise be an act of consensual sex is legally defined as a violent act.
People get funny about some issues.
In this case, however, I think you're right, as the issue rubs hard against the First Ammendment and there is already an extensive body of statute and case law brought up by other media such as books and movies.
Of course, as with all such laws, if passed, it will likely require the utter ruination of at least one person's life to get it overturned.
KFG
One HUGE Difference (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Neither censorship or banning. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:America's Army (Score:5, Informative)
Killing Monsters Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence [amazon.com]
Finally a reasonable look at children and violent fantasy. A must-read for retarded old governors and senators.
Re:America's Army (Score:3, Informative)
DOn't forget that todays nursey rhymes are quite toned down from the originals. Read the original uncensored brothers grim and its alot mroe violent. Especially what they do in Red Riding Hood (Hint, One of the things they do is the wolf dies by drowning)
Re:Availability? (Score:3, Informative)
I don't see how this could possibly be a problem; it's not like we let our kids buy porn and guns. There is NO issue here. Most likely, if this law passes, some big businesses will start carding for "M" rated games, but I'm sure your savy 15 year old will be able to get a copy of GTA/Doom/whatever if they really want it (with or without parental permission; I know I could get smokes, alchohol, drugs, you name it, at 15).
I fail to see how this could possibly be construed as some type of censorship, or some left-wing conspiracy to steal your precious children away.
Re:America's Army (Score:2, Informative)
You are referring to Zardoz [imdb.com]. It has to be the worst film ever made that involves sex and flying stone heads.
Re:Availability? (Score:3, Informative)