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Video game bill filed in North Carolina senate

Posted Feb 8, 2007 at 12:00AM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, PC Gaming Tags: ESRB, Illinois, Julia Boseman, Senate bill, senator

Unfazed by the incidents that occurred in Illinois and, most recently, in Utah, North Carolina Senator Julia Boseman proposed a video game bill designed to restrict the access of minors to violent video games.

This move was not a surprise, since before the bill was introduced, political tongues had already been wagging that the Senator was keen on re-introducing video game legislation. She first proposed video game legislation in 2005. The bill passed the Senate, but failed to move in the House.

Senate Bill 87 (SB87), the Boseman-introduced bill, aims to add violent games to an already existing NC stature which defines what materials are harmful to minors. Reading through the filed bill, video game violence is defined in the same terms used to restrict minors' access to porn.

It mentions that video games with graphic violence, which is harmful to minors, should be located in an area not open to view by minors. Video game retailers must also inform their customers about the ESRB ratings. Graphic violence here was defined as:

The realistic visual depiction of serious injury to human beings, actual or virtual, including aggravated assault, decapitation, dismemberment, or death.

The law is also applicable to video arcades. If this is passed, the bill would become a law by the end of the year.

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As long as they aren't classifying violent games AS pornography, i think it'll be ok. Treating Mature titles "like" porn and putting them in a different section all together where only adults are allowed is a smart move.

If there are people arguing about this, then they are most likely minors. Don't think that your immature whining is going to prove a point either, so don't bother flaming this topic. This is what should've been done a long time ago.

# asdf — Shalashaska315 2007-02-08 04:31

I'm not saying this isn't a good thing, but this is just the government playing parent to every kid who has lousy parents. Stores sell stuff to people who want them. That's what there for. If the material is inappropriate for them, its the job of the parent to step in and discipline their kid. If parents took responsibility instead of blaming Wal-Mart, we wouldn't have to waste so much time and money discussing videogame laws.

# anonymous — Guest 2007-02-08 06:52

I think this is wrong. the government should not have control over the social activities of anyone unless those activities are DIRECTLY causing harm to that individual (that doesnt mean somthing that may or may not be a contributing factor to a future incident of violence) this also sets a precedent for things that I dont even want to think about (if you think hard enough you will see where this leads. a tyranical goernment that regulates propoganda and can censor the media however it chooses to) It is up to the parents i say. the government is out of line. BTW I'm 21 so this isnt a mnor rant. I am not against indivifual store policies though. I just think this could be bad news for future legislation

# This makes me ill — Guest 2007-02-08 07:08

The idea that minors can't buy M rated games is a good thing. But what usually happens is the parent buys it for the kid without looking at it first. Another pointless....Can you believe it is illegal to pee on a 15 year old girl and film it??? The government has gone too far....

# m=porn? bs m=R? hellz ya — Guest 2007-02-08 15:47

to say m rated games are that bad as porn is like saying mcdonalds is the #1 cause of fat ppl... it is true but that doesnt give them the right to stop such things. better to call it like a R rated movie (like hostle) because porn just sucks you in and never lets go (lol)

# What? — Guest 2007-02-09 10:09

What are they doing to stop kids from seeing the boxes to R and Unrated movies at blockbuster, They have softcore porn and it's in a section minors can see.

Most action movies are r rated, not for those under seventeen, What is this lady doing to stop blockbuster from putting these movies in area's noticable to minors, this is the biigest pile of crap i have ever heard.

# this is wrong — Guest 2007-02-09 17:05

I am 19 and I still think this is bull *****. Until they prove that these game actually hurt minors then they have no right to ban them. It is a violation of several parts of the Constitution and it is wrong. Its up to parents to control their kids, not the government and yes I realize most parents don't pay attention but that isn't a good enough reason to infringe on the entire State/Countries freedom. You are a fascist and you don't deserve to be an American. This isn't a safety issue, it's a freedom issue and freedom should always be chosen over safety.

# you don't understand — Koru-Kun 2007-02-09 18:34

they are ENFORCING the suggested age rating. That means that it'll still be sold! It will just be placed in a separate section where minors can't view it. What's wrong with that? Prove it's a violation of ANY part of the Constitution. Ever heard of State Rights?

The gov't isn't telling you how to raise your children. They're limiting what minors can get their grubby little hands on, just like they do with alcohol... because used immaturely, it can and will influence you to make wrong decisions.

So you're questioning my right to have freedom of speech and you're blabbering on like a hypocrite that what i'm agreeing with is against the rights of Americans? The Constitution ALLOWS censorship, especially to MINORS. Are you a complete moron?

Besides, minors don't have as much "freedom" as adults have... you need to get that through your thick skull. I'm NOT for big gov't like you would hope to say i am. You need to know what being a free country truly means before you start preaching to ME about what you "think" it means. You're just a kool-aid drinker, repeating what you hear from others instead of finding out what things really stand for.

How dare you throw around words that you apparently can't back up. Prove that i'm a fascist (assuming you know what that actually means before searching up a definition for it on your search engine). I was born American, and i deserve to be an American more than many other socialistic and communistic idealists out there.

You haven't hit maturity yet apparently, even at age 19 you're still younger than I am. Learn about politics, learn about good morals, learn about what will actually be effective towards issues in our country instead of just copying another person's words on issues.

Oh, in case you haven't caught on to what i was saying, "you still have a lot to learn"

# NC Senator loses my vote — Guest 2007-02-09 20:48

I live in NC and I won't vote for this woman. It's a worthless fight as anyone is going to get whatever they want. There are more pressing issues in the world than worrying about what media is available.

Politicians are the most unintelligent people alive.

# youaretheproble mwiththiscountr y — Guest 2007-02-10 00:23

I have proved my various points to you several times on similar subjects in the last couple of days and quite frankly I am sick of your BS. Your retaliations consist of telling me that I am wrong without backing it up, calling me names, telling me that I don't know what I am talking about and lastly you like to make up your own definition to words. Every single time I have proved myself or backed up my side of the argument but you won't quit. You are an unintelligent fascist(someone who would impose their will on others, among other things) and you would allow the government to infringe on others rights so you can keep a few kids that have bad parents innocent and sheltered. No one has ever proved that violent video games cause any harm to humans let-alone children so there is nothing to back up your side of the argument. And if I was wrong about this being unconstitutiona l then tell me why smart guy has every piece of video game legislation been rejected for that vary reason. On the grounds that it is in-fact in VIOLATION of the United States Constitution. I normally wouldn't care what you think because these bills will be struck down again and again. As long as there are people like me that understand what true uncompromised freedom is I shouldn't have to worry. But the amount of ignorant people like you keeps growing and that scares me because I know that if there are enough of you then democracy will fail to keep freedom intact.

I have nothing more to say to you so retaliate which ever way you wish, I won't respond.

# let's break this down then — Koru-Kun 2007-02-10 05:29

Everything i said about what the United States has rights for and everything in the Constitution is fact.

1.) You haven't backed up ONE accusation against any of the things i've brought up.

2.) You brought in the name calling. When you called me a fascist, which in turn i'll call you a communist.

3.) You seemingly only know about what you are told. You seem to have not studied *enough* to understand that the Constitution doesn't allow you to do whatever the hell you feel like it.

4.) Without boundaries (censorship and rules), this country would've already become an anarchy... thus becoming a dictatorship afterwards (chain of events).

5.) Of course i won't quit, you don't make sense, q.

6.) A fascist isn't someone who forcibly imposes their ideology on others.... get your facts straight. Which also means don't judge others by grouping them with a *scare word* you don't know the meaning of.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism

7.) I KNOW that there isn't proof that violence in videogames causes violence in real life actions. You only ASSUME i think that.

8.) Just so you know, children are much more susceptible to be influenced by things that entertain them than using simple logic. There have been many studies that verifies this, so go look them up.

http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/flyers/factsheet.htm

9.) My side of the argument doesn't include violent video games cause violence in humans.

10.) The reason why the "Games as Porn" bill was cast down everywhere was because it was TOO restrictive and was extremely vague in how the bill was going to accomplish fixing the problem.

http://www.le.state.ut.us/~2006/bills/hbillint/hb0257.htm

It wasn't because it is unconstitutiona l to restrict minors from playing Mature rated videogames. A main factor was because if video games are labeled as pornographic material. Then Gamestop, EB Games, Funcoland, Wal-Mart, Target, and basically ALL of the people that resell videogames won't put them on the shelf due to store policy. Their policy doesn't allow pornographic material on their sales list.

Secondly, the requirements for videogames to NOT be classified as pornography was WAY too vague. The restrictions would make Super Smash Brothers pornographic.

Does any of this get through to you yet?

11.) Thank you for not responding to what i'm typing in. Because there would be nothing for you to say anyways, due to the fact that you have no defense for my FACTS over your OPINIONS.

You're not learned enough to know what being a free country stands for. Try recounting what the founding fathers intended for this nation, not try to twist their words around in the Declaration of Independence to try to make what you want out of it and not what it truly means.

If patriotic and faithful Americans like me are what's ruining the U.S... then how are people like you, who's idea of freedom is "the freedom to do whatever the hell i want, whenever i want", saving this country from corruption. The way you speak, it's like you think the world doesn't need rules and regulations. Your words stink of an anarchist.

# ineverclaimedth atididntcallyou aname — Guest 2007-02-10 16:21

Say what you will about me responding despite what I said but I have to clear one thing up. I won't bother with the rest because we both know it's BS (Like how I pointed out on another board were this violates the Constitution) but here it goes.

Fascist - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fascist

"a person who is dictatorial or has extreme right-wing views."

The word has changed drastically over the years and this is one of it's meanings. Pretty much any type of will imposing can be called fascism.

"In this sense, the word "fascist" is generally meant to mean "oppressive," "intolerant," "chauvinist," or "aggressive," all concepts that are at least loosely inspired by the ideology of actual fascism." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_(epithet)

# ah — Koru-Kun 2007-02-10 17:30

well, i might be right wing but i'm a far cry from being a "far-right".

I'm not chauvinistic, nor am i anything that characterizes me as what you defined a fascist to be. Don't worry, i won't criticize you posting even though you said you wouldn't... i sorta assumed you might reply save your assertions that you wouldn't.

Either way, calling me fascist is just that... name calling, and it won't prove a thing unless you point out where in my statements that i am stating something that relates to the actions or thoughts of being a fascist. I'd appreciate it if you DID clarify where i was speaking as a fascist would, because if i did, it was entirely unintended.

Regarding your statement, what is the "this" that is in direct conflict with the Constitution? After that's clarified, where is it that "this" is explicitly or even implicitly stated in the Constitution as contrary to what it states?

If you please could, would you provide a link to your other board where you discussed this issue, like you did with the definition of fascism? Oh, and i'm not perfectly clear on what we are agreeing on that's BS.... what is that?

Just so i know for future reference. What DO you think freedom means in this country? Do you agree freedom comes with limitations and boundaries? I think so, because if there were no boundaries for one person's freedom... then they have the "right" to take away another person's freedom... so where does that leave the person without freedom? A slave maybe?

# re — Guest 2007-02-10 22:28

I am not naive enough to think that this country is actually this why but I believe the following is what true freedom should be and is also what was intended by our for fathers. I think that we should all have total freedom up until the point were we infringe on each others freedoms. That means that I can't do something that would stop your pursuit of happiness by.. lets say, killing you or robbing you. But if I want to risk my own safety by not wearing a seat belt or if I want to watch some really screwed up ***** on the internet that should be my choice.

The board in question where I explain how it violates the constitution is this one: http://xbox360.qj.net/GameStop-Sell-an-M-rated-get-the-Trump-treatment/pg/49/aid/82069#comments

I concede that I was wrong for calling you a fascist but I do know what it means. Alot of our points of topic though aren't exactly opinions but they are different none the less due to a different interpretation of the facts that they are based on. We just look at things differently. Good Day

# Parents will buy them anyway to shut their kids up. — Guest 2007-02-15 22:59

Having a different section will not change anything. Everyone knows that if a kid makes a big enough scene especially nowadays a parent will give them what ever they want to shut them up.

Secondly the games are not the problem, I am 23 I have played violent games my whole life ( Mortal Kombat, Counter-Strike, etc.) I have never broken the law beyond that of getting a speeding ticket. I think that with any situation of criminal intent the problem needs to be identified at the source. The blame doesn't need to be subplanted onto something else because it makes the non caring disjointed parent feel better.

Thirdly, if parents would actually sit down and explain that nothing of what they are seeing is real, or that it is not to be immitated then there wont be a problem. I remember a couple similar situations with comics and Dungeons and Dragons. In dealing with the comics children thought they could fly because they saw ina comic that superman could, and comics were not put into an "adult" section. Same with D&D a couple kids killed their parents because they thought it would help them level up, but that didn't hinder sales to "minors." D&D is more violent than most "violent" videogames we play, but because it deals with imagination it is easily dismissed.

So go ahead blame something that is obviously not at fault just so you can go on with your dialy lives thinking that you did something good.

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Video game bill filed in North Carolina senate

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