WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today applauded Washington Governor Gary Locke for signing into law the statewide ban of selling violent video games to minors. 

“I am glad to see that states are taking this seriously,” Baca said. “If states all step up to the plate and make it harder for distributors to sell these violent games to our children we can go further in protecting them.”  

Under the state law, video game distributors could face fines up to $500 for selling the games to children under 17 without being accompanied by an adult. Baca introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives making the sale a federal crime.  

“From what I understand, their law specifically targets games depicting violence on law enforcement officials. I applaud them for inserting that language,” Baca said. “So many of these games award points for shooting or killing police officers. What kind of message does that send our children?” 

“At the federal level, we just want to make equally sure that games showing graphic sex are addressed under the ban as well,” Baca said. “Some of the games that are getting into the hands of children have actual footage of exotic dancers. Many parents would never guess that their children own this sort of video game.”   

Under the Baca bill, video game distributors could face fines up to $1,000 for first offenses and up to $5,000 for repeatedly breaking the law.

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