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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7149850/
Video game ban moves forward in Illinois
Under governor's proposal, stores could be fined
The Associated Press
Updated: 8:47 p.m. ET March 10, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposal to bar
stores from selling violent and sexually explicit video games to
children unanimously passed a state 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."
But courts have struck down similar laws in Washington, Missouri and
Indiana as too broad and in violation of free speech.
Even some lawmakers who voted for the bill said they were concerned it
is too vague.
"This bill does not have clear standards to the people that need to
know what the standards are - the parents, the kids, the clerk, the
manager at Best Buy," said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie. "These are people
that will not have a clear standard under this bill as to what is or is
not OK."
The legislation requires stores to label violent or sexually explicit
games with black-and-white stickers reading "18." Stores would have the
burden of figuring out which games could legally be sold to minors and
which couldn't.
David Vite, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association,
said the legislation's restrictions on games depicting "human on human
violence" could mean that stores can be fined for selling football
games to teenagers.
He also questioned the sincerity of the bill's supporters, suggesting
they fear that voting against the measure would hurt them in future
elections.
"It's pandering, and it's wrong," he said.
Harvard University professor Michael Rich argued Blagojevich's position
before the committee Wednesday, saying the law is necessary because
kids may act out in real life the violent or sexual behaviors they
practice in virtual reality.
"Children are learning from video games," Rich said. "The question is:
what are they learning?"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7149850/
Video game ban moves forward in Illinois
Under governor's proposal, stores could be fined
The Associated Press
Updated: 8:47 p.m. ET March 10, 2005
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's proposal to bar
stores from selling violent and sexually explicit video games to
children unanimously passed a state 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."
But courts have struck down similar laws in Washington, Missouri and
Indiana as too broad and in violation of free speech.
Even some lawmakers who voted for the bill said they were concerned it
is too vague.
"This bill does not have clear standards to the people that need to
know what the standards are - the parents, the kids, the clerk, the
manager at Best Buy," said Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie. "These are people
that will not have a clear standard under this bill as to what is or is
not OK."
The legislation requires stores to label violent or sexually explicit
games with black-and-white stickers reading "18." Stores would have the
burden of figuring out which games could legally be sold to minors and
which couldn't.
David Vite, president of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association,
said the legislation's restrictions on games depicting "human on human
violence" could mean that stores can be fined for selling football
games to teenagers.
He also questioned the sincerity of the bill's supporters, suggesting
they fear that voting against the measure would hurt them in future
elections.
"It's pandering, and it's wrong," he said.
Harvard University professor Michael Rich argued Blagojevich's position
before the committee Wednesday, saying the law is necessary because
kids may act out in real life the violent or sexual behaviors they
practice in virtual reality.
"Children are learning from video games," Rich said. "The question is:
what are they learning?"
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