LOS ANGELES (January 25, 2006) – The Parents Television Council, with more than a million members nationwide, applauded Missouri State Representative Jeff Harris for introducing legislation that would ban the sale and rental of violent video games to minors. The PTC called on the Missouri legislature to quickly pass the bill and send it to the Governor Matt Blunt for signature.

 

"This bill would allow children to be protected from graphically violent video game content without infringing on the rights of adults.  Currently, retailers have no legal obligation to curtail the selling of graphic, harmful and violent video games to minors," said Tim Winter, executive director of the PTC.

 

Over the past year, the PTC has intensified its efforts to increase public awareness to the impacts of violent video games and their affects on children. Working with its 35 chapters across the country, chapter directors have called on local city, county and state lawmakers to make the sale of violent video games to children a high priority.  Violent video game legislation has passed in Michigan, Illinois and California and is being considered at the federal level in Congress.

 

"The industry's so-called self-solution is an abysmal failure, as studies repeatedly prove that small children can easily purchase adult-oriented games.  In addition, medical research at Indiana University and Michigan State University shows that these games can cause damage to a child's brain. We hope the Missouri legislature will follow the lead of other states and move quickly to pass this law," Winter continued.

 

"Millions of my fellow Missourians recognize that this type of bill would protect children from gaining access to violent video games.  It's a measure that parents can wholeheartedly approve," said Tim Maupin, Kansas City Chapter director for the PTC.

 

"It's likely that the billion-dollar video game industry will oppose this measure for financially-motivated reasons but they are certainly not looking out for our children."