Ill. Moves Toward Banning Some Video Games

[seriousstan]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposal to bar stores from selling violent and sexually explicit video games to children unanimously passed an Illinois House committee Wednesday, despite concerns that it might be unconstitutional.

Under the proposal, which now goes to the House floor, any store that violated the ban could face misdemeanor charges and fines of up to $5,000.

Blagojevich has been pushing the idea for several months, arguing in town hall meetings and national interviews that the games desensitize children to violence. He says they can lead to anti-social behavior and even obesity.

On Wednesday, he applauded the House civil law committee for approving the "sensible and necessary legislation."



http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-video-game-ban,0,2206888,print.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[madinmaryland]

1. Maryland legislators are talking about that too.

Have seen a couple of quick blurbs on the local news in the last several weeks. Seems to be the in-thing to do these days. Kind of like congress spending days and days talking about steroids in baseball.

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. ummm, there is a game rating system, like movies

why not just pass legislature making game sellers responsible for selling M or Ao rated games to minors

[Outrider]

12. That's what it says.

I haven't seen anything that says that this law will make any game illegal. It does say that retailers would be fined for selling M rated games to minors. Even if it does get passed it won't mean much, you'll just have to show an ID to buy some games.

[Baclava]

3. Selling to children?

"Dad, go buy me GTA....OK son - which one you want?"

[Roland99]

4. Only outlaw children will now own violent video games

[HughBeaumont]

5. Take away my Dig Dug and so help me GOD there'll be carnage!!

[Solon]

7. Its Pitfall or BUST!!!! n/t

[sonicx]

6. They better look out for Arcades too...

Anyone can play the games there...

[The Witch]

8. But DDR is GOOD for you!

But they have that nice game where you can use your whole body, DDR! And pinball machines! Everyone knows that tilting the pinball machine is really strength training in disguise!

The Witch
clutching her Metroid games, Advance Wars, and City of Heroes... from my cold, dead hands!!

[NNguyenMD]

9. what about instead of spending that money lobbying to get this passed

the governor simply tell parents to get rid of the TV and game system from their house, and stop givin their kids $$$ to buy these games.

As for the internet, last I remember its mom and dad who pay the DSL or cable modem bill, setting up a password to limit access to your kid is pretty cheap to do too.

[slor]

10. I guess this will boost the youth vote...

against whoever did this.

[DonP]

11. I hope not.

We are an all Dem state; Governor, and both houses of the legsislature. The only place they could go is to the Repubs and they shot themselves in the foot with both barrels. Our past Repub Gov. has been indicted and will be treid this summer.

This is just the latest "Press Stunt of the Month" for our Governor (who has delusions to higher office I believe).