California ban on violent video games unconstitutional

At the end of April of this year (2010), the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) agreed to hear an appeal from the 9th Circuit court of appeals on the issue of California's ban on the sale of violent video games to anyone under the age of 18. See the AP article about the courts and violent video games

It never ceases to amaze me how governments at all levels continually attempt to impose their will on people's freedom of speech and expression and on their freedom of choice. The California law in question is yet another attempt to legislate "morality" and define what is okay for people to participate in. Luckily the 9th circuit court struck down the law. Now we get to hear SCOTUS weigh in on the issue.

To me this is very simple. The writers of the video games have freedom of expression, like anyone else. If people want to buy it, then they should be able to sell it. End of story. Just as important, if you want to buy a violent video game, that is your choice - and the government has no business telling you otherwise.

Now, as for people under 18 - it is the parents' responsibility to determine the suitability of any game, TV show, movie, or other activity their kids might participate in. And in fact, it is their freedom of choice to do so. If you don't want your kids to play violent video games, don't let them. Exercise a little parental control, rather than expecting the state to do it for you.

I will be interested in what SCOTUS has to say, probably sometime this fall or next year.