![[Politech logo]](http://www.politechbot.com/image/logo.gif){kind=logo}
Politech is the oldest Internet resource devoted to politics and technology. Launched in 1994 by Declan McCullagh, the mailing list has chronicled the growing intersection of culture, technology, politics, and law. Since 2000, so has the Politech web site.
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] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------