LANSING - State Rep. Gino H. Polidori (D-Dearborn) today called on the Legislature to pass a Democratic bill banning the sale or rental of graphic video games to minors after a crackdown by county sheriff's departments revealed a widespread willingness among retailers to sell the games to kids.
"Too often, retailers are willingly giving our kids access to video games filled with violent, brutal and sexually explicit content," Rep. Polidori said. "Our bills will stop this harmful practice."
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, who supports the Democrats' proposal, worked with sheriff's departments in Wayne, Genesee, Cass, Ingham, Lenawee and Monroe counties to test retailers' willingness to sell the games to minors. Fifty-eight stores were targeted in April; 32 of those sold games like "Doom 3," "Resident Evil" and "Leisure Suit Larry" to minors ages 9-16 years old.
In Wayne County, Sheriff Warren J. Evans led 13 sting operations against stores in the county, including in Dearborn. Eight stores total were found to have sold mature-rated video games to minors ages 14 and 16.
"The governor is shining a spotlight on an important issue facing our families, and that's how easy it is for children to get their hands on graphic video games," Rep. Polidori said. "We must do everything we can to protect our youth, and a key step is keeping violent, pornographic images away from kids. Let's put the safety of our kids first."
The bill will ban the sale or rental of games rated "adults only" to anyone younger than 18, and those rated "mature" to anyone younger than 17, in accordance with Entertainment Software Rating board guidelines. Violators would be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
An online petition in support of the bill can be signed at www.videogames.housedems.com.