Minnesota Violent Games Law Struck Down

Game Daily is reporting that a Minnesota law that would have fined children under seventeen for buying "M" and "AO" (adults only) rated games has been struck down:

A violent games law in Minnesota, which would have slapped kids under 17 with a $25 fine if they rented or bought a video game rated "M" for Mature or "AO" for Adults Only, is now no more. The law was passed two years ago and was halted after the video game industry and retail community immediately challenged it. U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum ruled in favor of the game industry in July 2006, noting that the law was unconstitutional and violated free speech rights.

According to an AP report, Minnesota tried to challenge the injunction, but today a federal appeals court upheld the injunction since the state couldn't prove that violent video games hurt children. That said, the appellate opinion, written by Judge Roger l. Wollman, showed that the three-judge panel was not particularly pleased with the ruling either.

"Whatever our intuitive (dare we say commonsense) feelings regarding the effect of violent video games, precedent requires undeniable proof that such violence causes psychological dysfunction," Wollman wrote. "The requirement of such a high level of proof may reflect a refined estrangement from reality, but apply it we must."

Check out the rest at the link above.