PsychoSy
06-09-03, 02:07 PM
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=32976
And for those too lazy to click...
Violent video games
'No. 1 with a bullet'
Court rules graphic images protected speech under 1st Amendment
Those who like to rock their world with violent video games have reason to
celebrate now that a federal appeals court has ruled that graphic games fall
under the free speech protection of the Bill of Rights.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Missouri says a county ordinance
banning the sale or rental of graphically violent video games to people under
17 is unconstitutional.
According to United Press International, the statute in St. Louis County
restricted distribution of games like Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat and
Wolfenstein to minors.
"If the First Amendment is versatile enough to 'shield painting of Jackson
Pollock, music of Arnold Schoenberg or "Jabberwocky" verse of Lewis Carroll, we
see no reason why the pictures, graphic design, concept art, sounds, music,
stories and narrative present in a video game are not entitled to similar
protection," the three-judge panel wrote in explaining its decision.
"The mere fact that they appear in a novel medium is of no legal consequence.
Our review of the record convinces us that these 'violent' games contain
stories, imagery, 'age-old themes of literature,' and messages, even an
'ideology,' just as books and movies do," the ruling said.
Missouri Lawyers Weekly reports that in the opinion, the judges said St. Louis
County's conclusion that "there is a strong likelihood that minors who play
violent video games will suffer a deleterious effect on their psychological
health is simply unsupported in the record." And while the government had a
role in supporting parents, "the government cannot silence protected speech by
wrapping itself in the cloak of parental authority."
This week's ruling could have an impact on efforts in Congress to limit the
sale of violent video games, reports Advertising Age.
Frag happy and Constitutionally!! :D :p
w00t!! :afro:
*sacrifices barrel of V-Chips to the Gods* :angel:
And for those too lazy to click...
Violent video games
'No. 1 with a bullet'
Court rules graphic images protected speech under 1st Amendment
Those who like to rock their world with violent video games have reason to
celebrate now that a federal appeals court has ruled that graphic games fall
under the free speech protection of the Bill of Rights.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Missouri says a county ordinance
banning the sale or rental of graphically violent video games to people under
17 is unconstitutional.
According to United Press International, the statute in St. Louis County
restricted distribution of games like Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Kombat and
Wolfenstein to minors.
"If the First Amendment is versatile enough to 'shield painting of Jackson
Pollock, music of Arnold Schoenberg or "Jabberwocky" verse of Lewis Carroll, we
see no reason why the pictures, graphic design, concept art, sounds, music,
stories and narrative present in a video game are not entitled to similar
protection," the three-judge panel wrote in explaining its decision.
"The mere fact that they appear in a novel medium is of no legal consequence.
Our review of the record convinces us that these 'violent' games contain
stories, imagery, 'age-old themes of literature,' and messages, even an
'ideology,' just as books and movies do," the ruling said.
Missouri Lawyers Weekly reports that in the opinion, the judges said St. Louis
County's conclusion that "there is a strong likelihood that minors who play
violent video games will suffer a deleterious effect on their psychological
health is simply unsupported in the record." And while the government had a
role in supporting parents, "the government cannot silence protected speech by
wrapping itself in the cloak of parental authority."
This week's ruling could have an impact on efforts in Congress to limit the
sale of violent video games, reports Advertising Age.
Frag happy and Constitutionally!! :D :p
w00t!! :afro:
*sacrifices barrel of V-Chips to the Gods* :angel: