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California Minors Retain Access To Video Games

Late last week, developments in the courts of California resulted in some good news for minors in the state. A law was being proposed that would limit the access of California’s minors to certain video games. The idea was that minors could not buy or rent violent video games covered by the law.

Naturally, this proposal brought about a lot of discontent in many sectors. Luckily for those involved – at least those opposed to the proposal – a federal appeals court effectively trashed the law. The reason? AP reports:

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the 2005 law violates minors’ rights under the Constitution’s First and 14th amendments. The three-judge panel’s unanimous ruling upholds an earlier ruling in U.S. District Court.

The law would have prohibited the sale or rental of violent games to anyone under 18. It also would have created strict labeling requirements for video game manufacturers.

In a written opinion, Judge Consuelo Callahan said there were less restrictive ways to protect children from “unquestionably violent” video games. For example, the justices said the industry has a voluntary rating system and that parents can block certain games on video consoles.

I need not spend too much time saying what I think about the whole thing. I have always professed my belief in giving parents and guardians the responsibility of determining what their children should play or not. We already have a rating system – why add more complications that will not guarantee the achievement of the goal anyhow.