Mississippi Gamers: Take Action Now!
U.S. Senator, Roger Wicker, is proposing a federal anti-video game bill. It is important for all Mississippi residents who love video games to send him a letter opposing this regulation!
Sen. Wicker sponsored S.3315 attempting to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Video game producers already self-regulate the industry. According to a Federal Trade Commission report, 80 percent of underage gamers who tried to purchase M-rated games were not allowed to buy them.
Mississippi residents, please write a letter to Sen. Wicker, and tell him you strongly oppose his bill. This unnecessary and unconstitutional legislation may ultimately force retailers to stop future sales of your favorite M-rated games. Parental education - not unconstitutional regulation - is the solution to keeping inappropriate games away from children.
Just like other unconstitutional bills, Sen. Wicker's legislation unfairly targets video games, while other forms of protected speech like R-rated movies are not subject to government scrutiny or mandatory ID checks. Twelve courts have reviewed this issue in the past six years and each found laws restricting the sale of games unconstitutional. Furthermore, these anti-video game bills, which circumvent the First Amendment, ultimately cost taxpayers millions in legal fees. When the video game industry challenges the legislation and it is ruled unconstitutional, states are forced to reimburse the industry's legal fees. It's a waste of government time and your tax dollars.
It is the job of parents, not the government, to ensure kids do not play video games created for adults. Tell Sen. Wicker that instead of introducing this needless bill, he should support efforts to educate parents about the ESRB rating system and parental controls on game consoles.