Wired News: Video-Game Merchants Under Fire

SEATTLE -- In an effort to protect kids from violent imagery and the rest of us from violent kids, the state of Washington is prepared to make it illegal for stores to give youngsters access to interactive images of mayhem.
A bill that restricts the sale or rental of some violent video and computer games to adults-only customers passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate. Gov. Gary Locke is expected to sign the measure this week.

While I find it is the parents responsibility to police what the children do, I still applaud the law and encourage its passage. Why? Because I have seen parents come into a store where I was working with a 10 year old. The child wanted to buy the original Grand Theft Auto, and the store I was working in did not carry it. When I told the child that we would not carry it, the parent all of a sudden got interested and asked why. When explained that the language was not appropriate for young children, he grabbed junior and went out of the store angrily. I am sure junior got grounded. But what would have happened if we did carry it. You see, kids can convince parents that something is ok, trust me, you and I did it also, and my kids try it too. There is no way in todays world parents can keep up with it all, lets help the parents. Of course the parents still have to look over things as well.