Add New York to the list of states that have passed laws banning the sales of violent video games to minors. Just when you think you've heard the last of this nonsense, some other idiot gets it into their mind that they are suddenly "the last bastion of family values." Never mind the fact that these laws waste time and money, never mind the fact that every state that has tried to pass one of these laws has had them struck down in court, and never mind the fact that there are far better ways to clean up society, we're going to put a stop to that Grand Theft Auto!

Strangely enough, it's still not a crime to sell a minor an R-rated movie. And yes, there are arguments that these are different formats and have different levels of interactivity. Nevertheless, it seems like people tend to go to great lengths to make laws about things they may not necessarily understand. The pro-regulation crowd will often point to experts who run tests and show "conclusive" evidence, but never forget that no matter how unbiased they claim to be, everyone has an agenda.

But let's get back to the bill in question. Now rather than engage in some amateur lawyering (which seems to run rampant whenever one of these bills passes, by people whose legal experience is limited to watching Law and Order), let's take a look at the punishment recommended by the new bill. The New York bill places the sales of violent video games to minors as an E felony. Just for jollies, lets take a look at some other E felonies in the State of New York, direct from NY's web site:

-Attempted Manslaughter in the 2nd Degree

-Attempted Assault in the 2nd Degree

-Aggravated Assault Upon a Person Less Than Eleven Years Old

-Vehicular Assault in the 2nd Degree

-Rape in the 3rd Degree

-Sodomy in the 3rd Degree

That's right, we've lumped gang memebers, rapists, and sodomites with EB employees making minimum wage who sell a game with an M-rating to a 16 year old. I think we can agree the punishment does NOT match the crime.

Add New York to the list of states that have passed violent video game statutes. Let's hope in a few months we add them to the list of states that have gotten their butts handed to them in court.