Pennsylvania task force releases report to fight against video game legislation

Posted Dec 12, 2008 at 8:00PM by Glenn M. Listed in: PS3, Wii, PSP, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS Tags: ESRB, Pennsylvania

Now you've got more reasons to smile when you're in Pennsylvania - they're against video game legislation and their legislative body formed a task force to conduct a study on the subject and campaign against for others to do the same.

Composed of big names from different industries, the task force set out to study the nature of the problem, the legality of video game legislation in relation to the First Amendment, and the effects of the so-called "inappropriate" video games on minors. This is their conclusion:

Whatever the misgivings expressed by the Eighth Circuit and those who disagree with the Federal courtÂ’s approach to the First Amendment, that approach offers virtually categorical protection of violent video games against criminal prohibitions on their sale to minors. Of course, the constitution permits voluntary agreements among manufacturers and distributors to prohibit sales of inappropriate games to minors, and an extensive program to accomplish that end has been established, as will be detailed in the next chapter. Given the current state of the law, the task force advises that the General Assembly avoid challenging the legal consensus and refrain from enacting criminal sanctions on the sale of video games to minors or other measures similar to those invalidated elsewhere.

Simply put, they found that it is unlawful to enact criminal sanctions against the sale of violent video games to minors. Of course, they recognize the potential dangers of minors playing these sort of games, so they point out that an investigative body already exists and addresses the problem for concerned parents, most likely referring to the ESRB.

I'm sure you'd want to read that report, so you can get it right here.

Comments

# from what I understand — teh not so 1337 g@m3r 2008-12-12 17:26

That's almost like saying stores shouldn't be in trouble for selling porn to minors...

# No — KH 2008-12-13 03:08

It's like saying that stupid politicians who's gaming information comes from religious nuts ranting on the internet, can't pass legislation against stuff they have no idea about.

People shouldn't be making claims against things on NATIONAL TV, without knowing anything about the subject.

# .... — Stinky_1 2008-12-13 03:50

However, the LAST thing i want is my 14 year old kid getting a copy of GTA4 and playing it without me knowing. If for some reason I think he should have it, and I bought it for him that would be different. BUT if he is walking in the store and LOOKS like a 12 year old (or anything UNDER 21) they better be asking for his ID and NOT selling it to him if he is under 18. I expect that as a parent. I cant be with my kids at all times, and if I try to teach them that they dont need that garbage, I still cant be sure they are not getting it somewhere else. I just want to know that the stores arent helping them get it against my will.

# 14 with GTA4 — LancerImpact 2008-12-13 04:45

I'm 14. Walk into a store in NYC while on school trip, (from Canada), and pick this game up. No ID nothing. Just straight up go into store and buy the game.

# ... — Justingraziano 2008-12-13 05:41

Study all you want and make your false reports on how GTA effects a 16 year old differently then a 17 year old but the facts will always be true. Video games, media, and any other content does NOT determine how a person will act and does not influence them to act a certain way. I have been playing M rated games since I was, get this, 5 and have never wanted to kill anyone. In fact, I cant even stand the death penalty.

# cant stand it eh? — dazmo 2008-12-13 15:29

would you be willing to consider the assertion that perhaps video games have contributed to you being a leftwing radical? some people simply need to die.

# ..... — Stinky_1 2008-12-13 16:00

If you play GTA4 for an hour then check what kind of mood you are in, then play locoroco for an hour and see how your mood is different.

Or

Listen to eminem for an hour, then listen to enya for an hour. See how your outlook on life changes with the different types.

I wont say that GTA4 has the power to make a straight as an arrow 14 year old catholic girl go do a murder suicide run. But it CERTAINLY has more negative effects than if you spent your time doing something different (read: More posative).

I am Also not saying that this will make a 17 year old into a scourge on society, yet an 18 year old would be just fine playing the same game. I am saying that the 18 year old is an Adult in most parts of the country, so he is able to make decisions for himself. And if he decides to go on a murder spree having played GTA4 (or not) we can hang him by his toe nails while we bleed him dry from his finger tips.

If the 17 year old went on a murder spree the worst we could do is slap his wrist and send his parents to counceling for allowing him to play the game in the first place. IF we were allowed to try minors in courts based on how mature they THINK they are, then sure. Play your 18+ games when you are 14. Just expect to be getting the death penalty with every other 18+ who makes a bad bad choice. Otherwise, suck it up, play mario and sonic until your an adult and then make your own choices.

# death penalty is stupid — pspsampsp 2008-12-13 19:15

the death penalty is stupid , for one its irreversible and two no one should have the right to take peoples lives i think that if you commit murder you should just be locked up with other murderers and suchlike for life and by life i mean UNTIL YOU DIE , not 21 years like it is in my country (new zealand) ad you shouldn't get sky tv or xbox while your in prison just because you behave (once again my country....) you should just have 3 meals a day of simple food , eg. bread , water , vegetables and meat (if not vegeterian) and 1 hour exercise.

# Re: death penalty is stupid — KritzKrieg 2008-12-14 00:04

Who cares what you think?

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