Let’s hear it for freedom of speech. On Monday, the United States Supreme Court struck down a California law that restricts the sale or rental of violent video games to minors.
The law, which was adopted in 2005 and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, was rejected by the court in a 7-2 vote. It was deemed unconstitutional and against freedom of speech rights.
The ruling means that video games, which have become more and more sophisticated and expensive to produce, also qualify for full First Amendment protection — just as other forms of artistic expression do.
“Our cases hold that minors are entitled to a significant degree of First Amendment protection,” Justice Antonin Scalia said writing for the majority. “Government has no free-floating power to restrict the ideas to which they may be exposed.”
We’ve already got a ratings system in place for video games, just like the movies. Now, if stores will just enforce it.
