Brown v. EMA: Utah Lawmaker Drops Video Game Ban Legislation

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Utah has some unique laws what with the role that religion played in its history and what not. If you’ve ever tried to purchase alcohol in Utah, you know what I’m talking about. Like California, Utah had a bill discouraging the sale of violent video games to minors. Now, following the US Supreme Court’s decision this week, the Utah lawmaker behind that bill is giving up.

State Rep Michael Morley (R-District 66) introduced a bill in 2008 that would have outlawed the sale of violent video games to minors. But, while similar legislation in states like California and Illinois just issued heavy fines on the retailers caught selling violent games to kids, this legislation would have allowed parents to sue the businesses responsible for big money.

While Morley’s bill easily passed Utah’s legislature, it was vetoed by then Utah Governor (and current 2012 Presidential election hopeful) Jon Huntsman (R), who wasn’t a fan of the free speech issues and impact it could have on local businesses.

Rep. Morley told Utah news site DesertNews.com that he believes his bill was constitutional, but says he won’t push for any further anti-violent video game legislation. The Supreme Court’s decision is still controversial in Utah, as you might imagine.

Regardless, the US Federal Trade Commission did a study, released in 2011, finding that the retailers themselves, Best Buy, GameStop and the like are the best at keeping the hands out of minors, in coordination with the ESRB – a ratings system set up by the industry itself. We’ll leave you with that thought.