Indiana game bill moves forward

[wraggster]

via gamespot

Last year a bill proposing gaming regulations in the state of Indiana stalled before it could be voted on by legislators. Lawmakers are trying again, however, as last month state Senators David C. Ford (Republican) and Vi Simpson (Democrat) introduced a bill that would ban the sale of games rated M for Mature or AO for Adults Only to children.

The bill passed its first test this week, as the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology (which Ford chairs) voted 5-2 to recommend it be passed by the full Senate. According to an Associated Press article, the committee members were shown a video of objectionable material in games, including characters "urinating on victims and setting them on fire" and "gunning down people in a church." Another clip showed a game that rewarded players' achievements with footage of strippers.

A representative with the Entertainment Software Association argued before the committee that the law was unconstitutional like those struck down in other states, the Associated Press reported. Ford responded by saying he would continue to work on the bill to make it constitutional.

[mastersho]

I guess they were shown these games: Postal(1 and 2) Mafia for ps2 and BMX XXX for ps2 GC, and xbox(?). If im right, these are some pretty old games to use as a reason to pass this bill. It doesn't matter to me beccause im 18 anyway

[J_Villa1983]

ok.. I thought it was already illegal to sell these to minors or people working at games stores werent to sell these to people under 18. Correct me if i'm wrong but dont laws only work for people that follow them?

If you look at most legal age issues, just because there is a law on the books it means that people will just stop doing or seeking to do it.. Look at people who smoke, underage people that buy booze from their friends, or even the porn industry. This idea is just plain delusional and shows that our politicians still living in the 7th grade rather than leveling with adults.

besides I believe that television is a more serious problem then videogames. Its more accessible, and more people do it than play videogames. Look at MTV or BET how women are wearing less and less every year.. I cant tell you how many school age children are walking around looking like glorified sluts! Look at even prime time television and the violence portrayed on the national airwaves, You cant say that 24 doesnt have its fair share of violence. Do you see anyone placing laws against clearchannel or viacom for becoming more outragous year after year? I'm not saying that television should be banned or even regulated more any more than it is, I just feel that if politicians are so adiment on protecting what children see, hear, smell, and touch than they should bark up the trees that donates millions of dollars to their parties coffers.

-JV

[mastersho]

ok.. I thought it was already illegal to sell these to minors or people working at games stores werent to sell these to people under 18. Correct me if i'm wrong but dont laws only work for people that follow them?

If you look at most legal age issues, just because there is a law on the books it means that people will just stop doing or seeking to do it.. Look at people who smoke, underage people that buy booze from their friends, or even the porn industry. This idea is just plain delusional and shows that our politicians still living in the 7th grade rather than leveling with adults.

besides I believe that television is a more serious problem then videogames. Its more accessible, and more people do it than play videogames. Look at MTV or BET how women are wearing less and less every year.. I cant tell you how many school age children are walking around looking like glorified sluts! Look at even prime time television and the violence portrayed on the national airwaves, You cant say that 24 doesnt have its fair share of violence. Do you see anyone placing laws against clearchannel or viacom for becoming more outragous year after year? I'm not saying that television should be banned or even regulated more any more than it is, I just feel that if politicians are so adiment on protecting what children see, hear, smell, and touch than they should bark up the trees that donates millions of dollars to their parties coffers.

-JV

It was my understanding the it is NOT against the law. I think it's more to do with the stores that sale M rated games getting a bad rep. As far as I know there has been any laws about the sales of those games to minors, as far as I know that is........