http://online.wsj.com/video/supreme-court-considers-ban-on-violent-video-games/5191CDCD-F23C-4A69-B135-4DAC0FE21815.html

Seems to me like every few months somebody comes with the same "bright" idea. At least it always fails so here's hopping it will fail this time also!

Isn't this just the Supreme Court hearing an appeal from when California's attempt to ban them was declared unconstitutional?

I think it's important to note that this isn't coming from the Supreme Court at all. This came from California legislature, then was declared unconstitutional once already. So it gets appealed to the Supreme Court. Who will almost assuredly stand with the previous ruling.

Whatever. Even if such a thing happens, they won't be able to sell games in physical copies. You'd still be able to buy them online.

Wait a minute... Aren't most console sales physical and most PC online ?
If that's the case, then consequences would be... interesting :3.

/care about console games. /evil :p

Well, then... I guess we need to put an end to violent console game sales >:].

This case was argued almost a year ago. So the decision is due soon. And I agree with Taleroth, the Supreme Court will uphold the decision of the district court that the law is unconstitutional. I remember reading the transcript of the oral arguments and the Justices were harsh on the lawyers arguing for the law.

Pfft...idiot legislation.

By all means, ban violent video games, but only if you also ban violent movies, literature, and music as well.

"The Supreme Court is weighing a possible ban on children renting and buying violent video games"

They already have that in countries like the UK, the ratings given to games by the film classification board are law and I personally know one guy who was prosecuted for selling an 18 rated game to a minor. In general it works well so I would probably recommend the US adopt something similar. If only because some idiot parents are too stupid to regulate what their children watch and play.

Again?

Ok DarrkPheonix, roll them sleeves up. Queensbury rules.

In the 1950's superhero comics were considered to have a bad influence on the youth.
In the 60's it was all the liberal Hippies with their drugs and free sex.
Also in the 60's, the Rolling Stones were clearly acting as Satan's advocates, delivering our children directly to his doorsteps.
With the 70's Punks took the role of the obvious evil.
In the 80's violent movies (like all with Ninjas in it) were responsible for brutalizing the youth, followed by all horror movies. A few video games started to fall into that category too, like the unnecessarily violent Blue Max and Beach Head for the C64.
Also starting in the 80's and continuing far into the 90's and then some more, the most obvious reason of a bad influence - Hard Rock / Heavy Metal.
In the later 90's violent video games started to really make a lasting impression and took the leading role for being responsible for everyting going wrong with the youth, and couldn't shake it off ever since.

Now what are history lessons good for again? To learn from our past mistakes?

Parents should be the parents, NOT the state or government. If a parent chooses to let their kids see the film or game, it's their choice as a parent, and that's how it should be, rather you agree or don't.

That's how it works in the UK the difference is the parent has to purchase the game or movie for the child. They are made aware it has questionable content at point of sale. I get sick to the teeth when I watch Fox News or some other muck and there are parents completely oblivious to the fact games might have violent or sexual content. It's an excuse for bad parenting. The law came into effect in the UK because of the case of Jamie Bulger's murderers, kids who watched the movie Childs Play and thought it would be fun to murder a kid in real life. Now parents are made aware that some movies might not be ideal fodder for children.