Courts block laws on video game violence

Federal judges' First Amendment interpretations have consistently thwarted attempts to regulate games.
The New York Times

The story "Courts block laws on video game violence" published August 21, 2007 at 7:35 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[umbrae]

Wah wah wah...

In the end, politicians argument is wrong. 90% of retails restrict purchases just like theaters do with R rated movies (which is also not regulated by the government). It is NOT kids buying games, but parents buy the games for children. The government just believes it has a right to interfere with us parents in raising our kids.

Honestly, I do not mind if the government wants to raise my kids, but they better plan on helping with the cost to raise them and send them to college too.

[PCTechG]

Protecting children

If state and local governments want to protect children from violence and indecent material, then local news should be censored, children should not be allowed to read or attend school and they should all be raised in an underground bunker where they can be isolated from reality. Let's face it, violence is everywhere. There are bullies in schools, gangs and drug dealers both in schools and on the streets, wars going on everywhere. As for indecency, just look at most movies being produced. So let's just lock up all our children so that, when they hit 18, they can be subjected to such severe culture shock that they may never want to come out into the sunshine and be human.

[Below Meigh]

Where is that silly lawyer?

Yoohoo, Mr Jack T, you reading this article?

The gaming industry, the eTailers, the gaming magazines, the bloggers, and gaming forums do a pretty decent job of regulating itself. If a game has something that has the potential of harming anyone, I am sure they will make it known. Want some hot coffee?

[nzamparello]

What about parents and the rating system..

I have a 6 yr old myself and I really don't have a problem with the way video games are being distributed.. But since I'm an avid gamer myself I actually do something most parents don't do.. I play any game I get for my kid.. If I think it's good for a 6 yr old he gets to play it.. If not, he doesn't.. I also read the esrb rating as well.. Parents need to be parents and quit letting the government whittle away our constitution in the name of lack of parental supervision..

[ElmoKajaky]

A meaningless political football

The current ESRB system works just fine. Arny and the rest of the politicians trying to earn points with knee-jerk censorphiles need to take a chill pill.