Retailers of violent and sexually explicit electronic games may legally rent or sell them to anyone under age 17.
That was last week’s First Amendment ruling of a federal appeals court in St. Louis, Mo. It struck down a county ordinance outlawing such rentals and sales to minors without parental permission.
Industry spokespersons said voluntary compliance with a rating system, similar to one used for movies, was better than legislated rules.
We must believe, therefore, that children now will not rent or buy obscene electronic games if their parents don’t approve.
In a pig’s eye.
Severe penalties face anyone selling or giving photographic, film or video images of pornography to minors.
No such penalties face individuals selling or renting pornographic digital graphics, however. (8 JUNE 2003)
