FC: Sell "violent" video games to a teenager, go to jail

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

http://www.freep.com/news/mich/video5_20020305.htm

Bill to keep violent games from minors
Plan seeks fine, jail for video rental, sale

March 5, 2002

BY BILL LAITNER
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

For sale or rent: a chance to sit around the rec room and kill cops.

Blow up their cars with a bazooka, then machine-gun others and hear them
scream.

Finally, squeeze the joystick of your Sony PlayStation to pick up a pair of
prostitutes, spend time with them in your car, and afterward -- earning
extra points now -- kick and beat them to the sidewalk, strutting off with
blood on your shoes.

The $49.95 video game, called Grand Theft Auto III, has been the hottest
seller among console games since its November release, selling more than 2
million copies, said a spokesman for manufacturer Rockstar Games in New York
City.

This week, three Lansing lawmakers plan to introduce a bill penalizing video
stores that rent or sell such violent games to minors. Penalties could
include fines of up to $1,000 and jail time.

"We're totally not in the business of censorship," said state Rep. Patricia
Lockwood, D-Fenton.

"I'm a parent, too. All we're trying to do is make sure people are aware of
what their kids are doing," said Lockwood, who was tipped to the game by a
parent on her street.

The bill would apply to games that carry industry ratings of "AO" for Adults
Only (people older than 18) and "M" for Mature audiences (17 years and
older), such as Grand Theft Auto III.

[...]

[A good reason to oppose government-coerced rating systems... --Declan]




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