Violent video games banned for California mi..

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Friday that makes it illegal to sell or rent violent video games to minors in California.

The signing of the bill, authored by Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Leland Yee, shows how far the video game industry has fallen out of political favor in a few short months.

California joins Illinois and Michigan in passing an anti-violent video game bill in the past year alone, and similar bills have been proposed in just about every state, even though the courts have found prior prohibitions unconstitutional.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, although the video-game industry is already vowing to challenge it in court.

Until now, California stores have had only a voluntary obligation to restrict the sale of games rated for adults, and kids can walk into some stores and buy whatever they want.

Violent video games banned for California minors