By Here come da' judge

November 16, 2010 6:45 AM | Link to this

It is against the law to sell tobacco and alcohol to minors but it happens all the time. It will not stop until they are put out of business totally.

By Retired Sgt

November 16, 2010 8:10 AM | Link to this

It concerns me that the government is trying to further insinuate itself into the role of the parent. I think it is the role of the parent, not the government, to determine what game is appropriate for my child to play. I do agree with rating systems that allow parents a better undertanding of the content of the game, but ultimately it is up to the parent to control and monitor their kids. Already the government is insinuating itself into what your kid eats, weighs, drinks and wears. Enough is enough. Let the parents decide what is appropriate…George Orwell is laughing

By YABrian

November 16, 2010 8:21 AM | Link to this

I have played games since when I was 5 years old on my 2600. I have played them all and I have yet to see the violence they speak of. Everybody points to the first person shooters, but really, the most violent and bloody games are the strategy games. However, the only game I imitated where the MechWarrior games, and I turned out better than fine. It should be the parents role to sit down and play them with them. Not shield them. I don’t see why I need to be carded everytime I go buy a game, I’m 30 years old. When I was in college a friend of mine bought a copy of Diablo 2 at Wal-mart. I guess a fresh USMC tattoo and a buz cut doesn’t make you look old enough to buy it.

By JS

November 16, 2010 8:35 AM | Link to this

If you want to protect kids from being esposed to violence, don’t let them watch the news. I see Sgt.’s point clearly, however, what happens when parents fail (and they often do fail spectacularly). For instance, fewer and fewer people have been able to afford insurance over the years, so kids were put on the state and federal rolls. If the government is covering health insurance, do they not have a say in diet? I don’t blame the parents for not being able to afford the best foods… That’s a result of the accumulated effect of many factors as is the health insurance. As for the violence in video games, we definitely expect the government to handle the results when it doesn’t go right and the parents fail to educate on the difference between real and fake OR the kids are incapable of discerning the difference, so shouldn’t they have a say at the genesis of such issues? Lastly, I’d like to say that the government can’t expand into occupied space, it can only expand into a vacuum. The reason government has so many roles is because we have failed to deal with these issues ourselves.

By The Lone Ranger

November 16, 2010 8:52 AM | Link to this

I played cowboys and indians when I was a kid…never killed anybody when I grew up. Played war when I was a kid…never killed anyone when I grew up…went to many a horror movie when I was a kid…never sawed anyone in half when I grew up. Know why? It wasnt because of the government, it was because I had parents who taught me right and wrong and what was appropriate and what was not. The G needs to stay out of parenting. They already cant even govern themselves. Bi-polar people think they know what is best for everyone else, yet cant control themselves. I submit the Government is bi-polar…And now, with a fiery burst and a mighty hi-ho silver….away!

By hgfhfh

November 16, 2010 2:11 PM | Link to this

fgdfgfgf

By Jeanie

November 16, 2010 2:27 PM | Link to this

NO it should not be against the law! Where are the PARENTS?? Who buys the games for the kids? Can parents not take some responsbility for raising their own children?

By It takes a village

November 16, 2010 2:55 PM | Link to this

to raise a village idiot.

By RM

November 16, 2010 11:35 PM | Link to this

Sarge, the law wouldn’t prevent the parent from deciding what the child can play, it prevents the child from deciding by not letting the child make the purchase. The parents can still decide what is appropriate and purchase the game for the child. I’m not saying for or against, just clarifying. Sarge, if the parents do not do their job properly, we may all suffer or few may suffer severely. If enough parents fail (as is the trend), then many believe a 3rd party (not the parents or victims) needs to step in, namely, the government. The failure on the side of the parents will continue; you can either deal with the effects one case at a time or try and prevent the effects via regulation and rules. What would you suggest?

By Retired Sgt

November 16, 2010 11:56 PM | Link to this

Again, the Government should not become the parent of society. The parent should determine what the child reads, eats, sees, etc.

By Predator Vs. Alien

November 17, 2010 6:32 AM | Link to this

I believe, being a “Progressive/Democrat/Socialist society destroyer, that your children should be exposed to as much violence as possible. It prepares them for thier role as our front line “aparachiks” in our quest to destabilize your comfy lifestyle. As we create our little monsters, all in the name of “minors’ constitutional rights” (?), we’ll be able to throw the problem at our opposition, and blame them for all societal ills. We do believe in banning any child from watching Fox News, due to balance in life pervertng our little monsters from thier assigned duties. We will not allow opposing viewpoints to cloud the truth.

By Randy

November 17, 2010 6:57 AM | Link to this

Since when did war and killing become a “game”?????

By Sweet Cheeks

November 17, 2010 7:29 AM | Link to this

Yes, The videos should not be sold to minors. They give children violent behaviors, just like the videos

By Retired Sgt

November 17, 2010 9:17 AM | Link to this

Lets put this in perspective. Are there laws that prevent a child, aged 12, from going into a PG-13 movie without a parent? Answer- No. Is there a law that prevents a 15 yr old from going to a Rated R movie? Answer-No. The ratings systems for movies are very similar to ratings of video games. It gives parents guidance as to which movies their children should watch. However, the only MPAA rating that precludes children from viewing it AT A THEATRE is NC-17. There is no law that prevents that child from watching it at HOME once it hits cinemax, HBO etc. There are already too many laws restricting the general freedoms of people. Video games are just that- Games. Like Movies. If the child has been properly raised by a responsible parent, the child will be fine. There is too much media agenda driven crapola on the air waves. If someone kills someone, if the media wants to draw a byline to fit the agenda, they might find that the person committing the homicide played DOOM, HALO @ etc and blame the game for the violent act, when it probably had no effect on the reasoning for the commission of said act. However, it fits the agenda of the media. Let parents decide what their kids watch and play. The Gov needs to stay of of parenting.

By Predator Vs. Alien

November 17, 2010 10:14 AM | Link to this

Do not listen to the man behind the curtain!!!! He is Retired Sgt…a provacature of common sense, facts, truth, honesty, ethics, humility, honor, stability, character…all traits that we seek your support in destroying!!!! He is a dangerous man!!!! I bet he has a copy of the U.S. Constitution tacked up on his wall!!!! This alone proves he is a promoter of subversion to the common thought of today!!!!! (Hey Sarge…just a little sarcasm at your expense…to get the “tools” of our destruction to agree…)

By RM

November 17, 2010 4:54 PM | Link to this

Sarge, once again, I agree with you. However, your solution of [paraphrased] “the parents should raise their children better” is correct and at the same time Not Going to Happen. The question is, with the ever-increasing number of poorly-raised children, should there be a 3rd party to step in to prevent the effects brought about by poor parenting? Should we rely on the stores to not sell to minors? Your example of the movie ratings is good, but missing some key points. Individual movie theaters take it upon themselves to refuse entry and/or sales for PG-13 and up to minors w/o a parent present. That would be the same as relying on the stores. The difference here is that the activist groups against video games are claiming crime & violence are a direct result of minors playing games. Of course, they’re wrong, and they’re also wrong that the government should be the 3rd party to step in. It should be up to the parents, but if kids get on their bikes with their allowance and ride to the store and buy a game the parent specifically prohibited and proceeds to hide it, even a good parent might miss it; a bad parent would never even notice. So, other than saying “No” to government intervention, what is your suggestion? Relying on parents simply will not work.

By RM

November 17, 2010 5:03 PM | Link to this

Randy, video games have contained war and killing since what is believed by many to be the very FIRST video game in 1947, the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device - a missile simulator. Prior to that time you would have to be enlisted and it was not a game.

By slightly right

November 19, 2010 5:27 PM | Link to this

Don’t you just love having big government decide what is good for us? The socialistic fools in charge want to tell us what to eat, not to smoke,mandate expensive cafe standards on our automakers,make a priorty out of eliminating “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as two wars are taking place, fight constantly for abortion(killing babies), oppose the death penality, protect terrorists, handcuff our anti terrorist agencies, humiliate and molest our citizens in airports, fight hard to keep prayer or the ten commandments out of school, and now how to raise your children by deciding what games are good for them. Hopefully we will go from the “USSA” back to the “USA” starting in 2011 and beyond.

By cb

November 21, 2010 3:58 PM | Link to this

More laws, more of our rights taken away. If you dont like the violent games, dont buy them. Its that simple.

By null

December 1, 2010 7:04 PM | Link to this

thank you cb t hats what im talking about kids should be free. Thats how i get my stress out by killing poeple on a game. It not like Ima run outside with a AK-47 and start blasting cops thats stupid SCREW WHO EVER MADE THIS LAW

By dont no

December 1, 2010 7:14 PM | Link to this

im on yur side null im a kid myself i pay grand theft auto, saints row2,call of duty,halo,and more.I M NT VIOLENT I LEARN FROM GAMES LIK THIS GOOD THINGS. I LEARN DONT KILL COPS,dont run red lights and more. so im sayinG I LOVE VIOLENT VIDEOGAMES SO GOV HOPE AT IT

By 16 year old view

December 2, 2010 11:39 PM | Link to this

I honestly have to agree with this. Yes, I am only 16 years old, but I agree. It should be illegal. I can see the difference between the people who play those violent games and those who don’t at my school. The people who play these types of games are constantly angry or have a very short temper. Yes, I would play these games some times, but I don’t believe we should be allowed to. I’m sorry, but just look at don’t know and null’s comments. They are both young kids who don’t realize the affect these games are having on them. Yes, don’t no says he is “learning” things from these games, but these are simple obvious facts that anyone with a right mind should know. And also notice how he stated “I learn don’t kill cops.” Yes, it is wrong to kill cops, but it goes out so much more than that. We shouldn’t be killing anyone at all, period. Honestly, I really want to know what other things he has been “learning” from these video games that he loves, that are so “ineffective.” And, obviously, playing these games are making them waste their time. There are so many more things a person can do to relieve stress, and not be so time consuming. Most young people who play video games are obsessed with these games, and thus leave little time for school, family, church, or any other thing that could be a better use of their time.They become so obsessed with the game that they then begin to lose sight on what their priorities should be. In the end, they are only hurting themselves and it should be up to the adults-parents, guardians, government- to help aid these children into a life that would be more fitting for the individual. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying to get rid of ALL video games, simply the violent ones- the ones which make most children blind to the realities of life.

By 16 year old with a view

December 2, 2010 11:41 PM | Link to this

I honestly have to agree with this. Yes, I am only 16 years old, but I agree. It should be illegal. I can see the difference between the people who play those violent games and those who don’t at my school. The people who play these types of games are constantly angry or have a very short temper. Yes, I would play these games some times, but I don’t believe we should be allowed to. I’m sorry, but just look at don’t know and null’s comments. They are both young kids who don’t realize the affect these games are having on them. Yes, don’t no says he is “learning” things from these games, but these are simple obvious facts that anyone with a right mind should know. And also notice how he stated “I learn don’t kill cops.” Yes, it is wrong to kill cops, but it goes out so much more than that. We shouldn’t be killing anyone at all, period. Honestly, I really want to know what other things he has been “learning” from these video games that he loves, that are so “ineffective.” And, obviously, playing these games are making them waste their time. There are so many more things a person can do to relieve stress, and not be so time consuming. Most young people who play video games are obsessed with these games, and thus leave little time for school, family, church, or any other thing that could be a better use of their time.They become so obsessed with the game that they then begin to lose sight on what their priorities should be. In the end, they are only hurting themselves and it should be up to the adults-parents, guardians, government- to help aid these children into a life that would be more fitting for the individual. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying to get rid of ALL video games, simply the violent ones- the ones which make most children blind to the realities of life.