Michigan to make it illegal to sell M-rated games to Minors

why again?

Published on March 30, 2005 By relswick In Gaming

This issue has been addressed over and over again elsewhere as well as similiar attempts agains other forms of entertainment.

The bill in question is SB 249, introduced in the Michigan Senate by Hansen Clarke (et al) and referred to the Judiciary Committee for action. The State Senate is out on Easter break right now, but will be back soon.

It is a shame as parents will buy what their kids want any way.

Why do some states and people want to legislate a parent's duty as a parent?

Is Europe having these same over 18 issues with computer games? I won't even get started on how the ESRB is a private rating system and shouldn't be condoned by a Public foundation such as the Senate or how the ESRB is costly to get a game rated.

Comments

Zoomba

on Mar 30, 2005

Since we have ratings on movies and such, I have no issue with ratings and limiting sale of certain rated games to minors. I have no problem at all with a 13yr old being denied Grand Theft Auto. If a parent wants to buy it for their kid, that's fine. It's the same thing they'd have to do with an R movie.

Do we think the state is usurping parent rights and responsibilities by limiting cigaretts and porn to 18? booze to 21? R-rated movies to 17?

What this does is takes the burden off of the developers and publishers and places it squarely on the retailers and parents, where it should be.

relswick

on Mar 31, 2005

Here is the Link to the Bill: Link

Sorry, they should make the punishment fit the crime. Nothing that I know of fits into this related to the sale of porn or admission into R rated movies.

Besides I am against anything related to reglation of my free will, which as a parent, extends to what I allow my kids to do or not do, but then again, I am in the minority on that one.

Text from the bill:

" A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled

"The Michigan penal code,"

(MCL 750.1 to 750.568) by adding section 143a.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 143a. (1) A person shall not sell or rent a restricted video game to a person who is less than 17 years of age. As used in this section, "restricted video game" means a video game rated AO (adults only) or M (mature) by the entertainment software rating board.

(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a

misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
"

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