Is Government Just Adding Fuel To The Fire?
Jul 21 '00
The mayor of Indianapolis has signed an ordinance which will take effect on September 1 that will soon make coin-operated video games off-limits to any one under 18. These violent games must also be kept at least 10 feet away from any non-violent games. Plus there must be a curtain or wall so minors cannot view them while playing the non-violent games.
So you ask, what does the mayor call violent?
Any coin-operated video game where people are:
* decapitated
* dismembered
* mutilated
* maimed
So what happens if you are a business and you violate this ordinance?
Well for starters:
* They can be fined $200 a Day for each violation.
* If as a business you have three violations in one year, you could be forbidden to have violent games and/or have your amusement license revoked.
How can Indianapolis do this?
Because in order to to be able to display and use video games in arcades, restaurants, airports, and bowling alleys just to name a few businesses; you have to get a permit to run any coin-operated games. So if you have youth under 18 playing these violent video games and the city or county police catch them doing so it could "decapitate"(sorry folks, I just couldn't resist it) your business.
Do I think it will do any good? No.
* Arcades for one have already died a slow death in the northern part of Indiana as the kids are playing the games at home on their computers.
* I also feel that there are enough violent-type Nintendo 64 and similar games available that can be purchased in any discount store to play at home if need be.
* I'm also sure there are hundreds maybe thousands of web sites that you can download these games for free on to your computer.
* The American Civil Liberties Union will most likely get involved and say it is a violation of your First Amendment Rights and challenge the city in the courts.
Knowing the youth of today, I'm sure the old saying goes, "where there's a will, there's a way," will also apply in this case too.
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