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The New York (NY) legislature is presently contemplating a number of bills that would restrict the sale of video games people under the age of 18. Parenting should be done by parents, not the government. And as we know, restricting video games based on violent content violates the First Amendment.

By raising our voices in opposition, gamers can stop this bill in committee. Our letters will help convince them to stop the NY violent video game bill.

We all need to act now!

Simply read the letter below, fill in the form to the right, then click the Send This Message button and your letter will be emailed to your representatives in the Assembly and State Senate.

June 19, 2013

Subject:

As a New York resident, a voter and an active video game player, I’m asking you to oppose AB2837, which is an unconstitutional legislative attempt to impose government restrictions on the sale of video games based on content.

First, AB2837 is unnecessary.  Most gamers are adults, with the average age being 36 years old.  In fact, the largest segment of gamers falls in the politically coveted, and increasingly vocal, 18-45 age bracket, most of who grew up playing video games.

Secondly, the video game industry already does a great job of self regulation through the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).  If children are playing ‘M’ (for mature) rated games, they’re getting them from their parents.  The Entertainment Consumers Association, the American consumer group representing video game players, supports parental empowerment and the ESRB efforts to educate parents on the ratings system.

Third, using the ESRB rating system as a basis to card minors is an unconstitutional delegation of governmental authority to an external body.

Fourth, forced segregation of First Amendment protected media due to content or rating are also unconstitutional.

Fifth, federal courts have routinely held that government regulation of video games is unconstitutional.  Passing bills such as AB2837, which then get fought out in court, cost taxpayers like me millions of dollars.  I’d rather see my tax dollars being spent on other things, like building safe bridges, fixing our economy and insuring that our state is kept safe from terrorists.

Sixth, there is no scientific consensus showing a causal relationship between violent media and aggressive behavior. In fact, the vast majority of studies show no link at all.  Even if such evidence existed, AB2837 wrongly singles out video games, which according to the Federal Trade Commission are the least likely medium for a minor to purchase alone.

Seventh, the bill also assumes that any game that receives a T or higher rating contains violent or racist content. This simply shows a lack of understanding of the ESRB’s rating system and rating criteria or a willful acceptance of video game stereotypes. Not all R rated movies receive the rating because of violence or racism; the same is true of M rated video games.

It is in your power to stop this type of legislation, and I ask that you represent me, your constituent, by doing so.  If you have any questions on this or other similar issues please contact Jennifer Mercurio, the Entertainment Consumers Association’s Director of Government Affairs, at Jenn@theECA.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

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