Illinois Lawmakers Vote to Ban Sale of Violent Game to Minors

Lawmakers in Illinois worked overtime this Memorial Day Weekend, as they voted to ban the sale of violent and/or sexually explicit video games to minors. The bill will hold clerks personally responsible for sales of such games to minors by fining them $1000 if caught. Interestingly enough, these clerks "could defend themselves by showing they did not know the buyer was a minor or that they followed the industry ratings on the games". The bill also leaves it to the stores to determine which games are "adult".

So, now store clerks have the threat of a $1000 fine hanging over their heads based on some balance between ESRB ratings and the whims of every store owner and their interpretation of what constitutes violence not suitable for 17 year olds. Yeah, that won't be overturned by a Federal judge, just like every other similarly idiotic bill put forth by other states with no understanding of the 1st Amendment and how it applies to minors. Perhaps Governor Blagojevich won't sign the bill into law.



It really is too bad that this issue has such a simple resolution (back the ESRB in every way, shape and form), which keeps the 1st Amendment rights of minors in place and doesn't waste tax payer money, but won't be implemented because politicians (of both parties) can't resist milking the issue for votes.