FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 26, 2002
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161

Kids' after school activities: prostitution, drugs, cop killing,
mass murder?

Baca announces push to curtail the sale of ultra-violent
games to children

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-CA) today announced plans for legislation aimed at curbing the sale or rental of grotesque, violent video games to children in the wake of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) findings that games labeled for mature users by the video game industry were widely and easily available to young children.

"The content of these games, one in particular, is sickening." Baca said. "While it is irresponsible of the video game industry to even make and market violent games in the first place, even more disturbing is the message we are sending to our children by enabling them to obtain and play ultra violent games with such horrific images. Video game retailers may be willing to ignore the effect that violent games have on children, but we are not."

The game "Grand Theft Auto III," published by Rockstar Games, allows a player to work for various crime syndicates selling drugs, stealing cars, disrupting rival drug and crime operations, destroying property, and murdering police officers and innocent people. In order to continue playing the game, or to increase the "life" of the character, a player must invite a prostitute into a car, witness the car rocking back and forth in a secluded location, and then decide whether to pay the prostitute or to kill her with a baseball bat.

"We have a responsibility to make sure that children are not exposed to such graphic images of sex and criminal violence for entertainment purposes." Baca said. "States are beginning to crack down on retailers who sell these games to minors. It's time for us to protect our children as well. If not us, then who?"

Last year the Federal Trade Commission conducted a nationwide sting operation in which children were sent to video game retailers to try to purchase games labels "M" for "mature audiences" only. It found that children under 17 years of age were able to purchase "M" rated games 78 percent of the time. Video games are rated by the video game industry for violent and sexual content. "AO," which stands for "adult only," is the industry's most stringent rating, while "M" rated games are meant for children over the age of 17. Despite it's gory violence and sexual content, "Grand Theft Auto III" received only an "M" rating from the industry.

"This is a child protection issue, and parents need to be aware of what's available to their kids. This is about protecting our children from violence, drugs, sex, and murder. Do parents know what their kids could be doing while they are at work? In a world where terrorists attack innocent people and students bring guns to school, children need to be taught to respect the sanctity of human life more than ever. These games only encourage violent, immoral behavior."

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