This isn't a freedom of speech issue, it is a commerce issue.

I don't have a problem with laws that limit the sale of violent video games to children, provided they do not affect adults.

I do have a massive problem with one medium being singled out and discriminated against. It sets a horrible precedent if video games can be singled out and not considered to be a form of speech (and therefore afforded the same protections as other media).

To say that sales of video games should be restricted, but not sales of films, books, or music, is to say that video games are somehow less valid as an art form.

Quote: Original post by Talroth
Personally I feel that laws limiting children's access to such material goes a long way in protecting them. Yes, the parent still has the choice, but if you need to be 18 to buy a game with a given level of violence, gore, strong language, mature subject matter, and sexual elements, then it means little billy can't take his allowance/lunch money and skip down to the store during school lunch hour and pick up the latest copy of Hooker-Beaters from the clerk that doesn't give a damn.

If the parent really wants their kid to have it, then the parent can buy it for them.

This is assuming that
1) The child can get the money for the game and/or system to play it,
2) Travel unattended to purchase the game, which is extra laughable with the '6 year old' example
3) Clerk actually sells it to the child,
4) The child can play it unattended somehow to where the parents can't observe.

These conditions are far more unlikely than the same child getting into a 'R' rated movie. Additionally, 2 of the 4 are clear examples of bad parenting. With a 'law', it's no less likely that an adult would be able to supply the child with the game anyway in the case of a 15-17 old. (They'd likely have at least one 18 year old friend).

Quote:

Quote: Right now, video games are following the status quo. Violent Movies, books, magazines, etc are blocked from sale via company policy, not law (except in isolated areas). Introducing this into law is a waste of money and time since it'll now be forced/mandated by police instead of parents and shopkeepers.

So, this law does nothing but backup the status quo, and insure all stores are playing by the same rules?

Where is the problem with that?

Because I'm paying for a 3rd party to parent other peoples children, and waste the courts/police time with buying a video game instead of dealing with dangerous crimes.