In 2005, then-Assembly Speaker Leland Yee (D) drafted and sponsored a law targeting businesses that sell “ultra-violent” games to minors. The bill was signed into law in December of 2005 and was almost immediately blocked by suits from organizations representing the video game industry. It’s basically been in limbo for the last two years, until today.
Game Politics has broken the news that today, Federal District Court Judge Ronald Whyte, has declared the 2005 measure unconstitutional, stating that:
The evidence does not establish that video games, because of their interactive nature or otherwise, are any more harmful than violent television, movies, internet sites or other speech-related exposures.
Following Judge Whyte’s ruling, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has stated that he will appeal the decision, taking it to the “next level.”
This decision makes me happy but also makes me realize that more does need to be done. Games should not be seen as affecting people more than TV or movies, but they also should not be sold to an audience they are not appropriate for. Legislation concerning the sale of games is not such an abhorrent idea that everyone needs to take arms every time it is brought up — the movie industry has guidelines about selling R rated movie tickets to those under 17. Game sales may need to be more closely monitored, but this should be done in a fashion that does not treat them differently than other forms of media.
We’ll keep you posted as this develops.
Chufmoney