Surprise! Minnesota video game legislation found unconstitutional

**Iria** · Jul 31, 2006, 06:15 PM

Source: Ars Technica
__________
When Minnesota passed a law last month that barred children from buying or renting M- or AO-rated games, we knew it was only a matter of time before it was struck down. That time has come, as a federal judge today ruled that the law was unconstitutional. Citing a lack of evidence showing that video game violence is harmful to children, Judge James Rosenbaum overturned the law.

Minnesota's law differed from that of other states in that it placed the onus on children. Instead of penalizing retailers that sold age-inappropriate games to minors, kids caught trying to buy an M- or AO-rated game would have been fined up to $25 for each transgression. Even stranger, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Sandra Pappas (DFL) said she never intended it to be enforced, saying the goal of the law was ultimately parental education.

TheBlackCat · Jul 31, 2006, 07:25 PM

I fail to see the problem with this law. Children can get in trouble for trying to buy alcohol or tobacco. The whole point of the rating system is to prevent people under a certain age from getting certain games. You shouldn't sell M-rated games to people under 17. That is the whole point of an M-rated game. I fail to see how making a law that enforces what is already supposed to be enforced is such a problem. If the gaming industry thinks games with an M-rating should be sold to people under 17, then they shouldn't have M-ratings to begin with.

The law was exactly the sort of law I thought they should have, hoping it would provide some common ground that both sides would have no problem with. It keeps violent games out of the hands of children, and it does nothing the gaming industry wasn't doing already (or at least claming to be doing).

CJLMTLCA · Jul 31, 2006, 07:27 PM

@TheBlackCat

Thank you.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 31, 2006, 08:31 PM

its retarded (the law)

TheBlackCat · Jul 31, 2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

its retarded (the law)

Okay. And your reason for holding this position is...?

pr0digal jenius · Jul 31, 2006, 09:42 PM

movie's and CD's aren't monitored anything like video games these days.....

.....maybe we should leave the games be and worry about important problems...like...bad parenting, isntead of stealing kid's lunch money if they try and play GTA

TheBlackCat · Jul 31, 2006, 10:16 PM

True. But I do not see the harm in it, and it could very well help. It is how things are supposed to be anyway. And focusing on parenting is a lofty ideal, but sadly not a focus of many people in today's society.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Aug 1, 2006, 12:33 AM

A law that would NEVER be enforced noit to mention what are you goingto do throw thier
parents in jail? or prision? and put the child in a foster home? ROFL

Already in so many places you can not sell and game thats PG17 , or a cd thats marked explicit
to anyone who isn't 18 it asks for thier DOB right at the register just like with booze or tabbaco...
You know what? have any idea how many times it been mommy or daddy buyingthe game??? or
far as youknow someone they asked to pose to buy the game for them? No ID don't look penty
old enough can't sell it to you...

Also, it the state saying hey here we are insid you home running your family... parents won't
have it. Not to mention giveinga kid a crimnal record over a video game? When anything freely available on TV is 10X as bad.

I grew up with games, so i know better then then lets all blame games becouse we can defence,
or becoiuse we smell money lawsuit. When it comes down to the person to begain with... and the responceabilty? THIER OWN!