Video Game Law Will Send State to Court
None by KCPW
AG Opposes Measure
(KCPW News) If Utah passes a law that tries to make violent and sexually-charged video games off-limits to kids, the state will be sued. That's the opinion of Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff."This will go to court and we have a very slim chance of success," says Shurtleff."
He says the courts are not convinced that video games lead to violent behavior. Furthermore, he says judges generally award attorney's fees in these cases, so Utah will likely be stuck with a bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Instead, he says Utah lawmakers should purse a less restrictive option, such as helping the game ratings system be more effective.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. Lori Thomas said:
I realize that I personally as a tax payer will come out money if we lose, but I am willing to pay that price. It's important we do all we can to send a message to the producers of these games, that we as parents do not want our children to have access to these types of media. We may have to pay, but at some point we have to make a stand and take the consequences that come from standing up for what is right. If no one makes the stand, than we are allowing society to go along unbridled pushing whatever envelopes they desire at the cost of our kids and others. Please I urge you, make this stand!
3. Matthew Metzo said:
Perhaps it's time that someone proposed a law that made it illegal to waste money on unconstituional laws, maybe then these idiot politicans will stop wasting good money on completely flawed and impossible laws that will never survive a court challenge.
4. Reality check said:
Oh Lori Thomas, how shameful that you would simply be willing to blindly believe what a politician tells you, without citing any actual facts.
You may be a liberal, and expect government do everything for you, to shield you from the world.
Did you know what the U.S. Constitution is? Obviously you don't, so go read it, understand the 1st and 14th amendments and then reflect on what you said. The U.S. Consitiution is the law of the land and has been in place for more than 200 years.
Federal judges have ALREADY RULED that video games get NO SPECIAL TREATMENT.
Deal with it.
5. dennisrharper@comcast.net said:
Legislation is needed and is way overdue. As a parent of a 3 year old son in California, the world is already dangerous as it is. Studies show that video games are linked to violence, and something needs to be done.
6. Colin McInnes said:
Lori Thomas, I'm curious to know why you think that wasting half a million dollars (the ESA was awarded $600,000 in legal fees alone in other cases), in order to accomplish NOTHING, is a good idea? Yes that's right, NOTHING. The law as written in unconstitutional, unenforcable, and will accomplish nothing if it's thrown out. So how is this worth it then? "Sending a message"? That legislators are willing to waste taxpayer money on a gesture???
Wouldn't that $600,000 be better spent educating parents on how to use the ratings system? Or put into counselling for troubled youth? Or do you believe that parents are completely helpless when it comes to what gets played on their TV, in their livingroom, of their house?
2. Matthew metzo said:
This is simply more scapegoating by greedy and self serving Politicans. 8 laws in a year and a half have met death at the industries hands, this one is no different. It's fate is already sealed and passing it will just waste time.
If parents want to send a message to Game makers, the best way to do it is to not allow your kids to buy or play violent games that you don't agree with, rather then running to the government cause your to lazy to take an active role in your childs life.