WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today announced that he believes the results of the Federal Trade Commission’s “Mystery Shopper Survey,” prove the need for further regulation on the videogame industry.  The FTC survey was conducted by sending minors, unaccompanied by adults, into retail stores to purchase products deemed inappropriate for various age groups. According to the survey, 69% of the teenagers were able to buy M-rated video games though they were clearly underage.  The survey included 899 movie theatres and retail stores throughout 39 states.  

Baca is the sponsor of HR 669, a bill in the House of Representatives that would make it unlawful for retailers to sell certain video games to minors without parental consent. Under the bill, retailers would face hefty penalties for violations, as much as $5,000 per infraction. 

“Today’s videogames can be incredibly violent and depict explicit sexual activity.”  Baca said.  “Yet we have no regulation to prevent children from getting their hands on these games.” 

“We are seeing tremendous child on child violence in society today,” Baca said. “Children mimic what they see. They copy what they see. They play these games repeatedly and the repetition is brainwashing. Children kill on videogames and then some children copy that behavior and kill in real life, too.   We need to stop the desensitization to violence.”  

“The videogame industry has repeatedly said they would stop children form purchasing games when they don’t have a parent present,” Baca said. “As we can see, self regulation doesn’t work and children all over this nation are being harmed.”   

 “The videogame industry and the retailers selling the games want to make a profit, that is more important to them than the well being of our children.” Baca said.  “Most parents don’t even know that their children are playing these games. This legislation will help make parents aware of their children’s behavior, because in order for children to purchase these games, an adult needs to be present.” 

On October 29, 2003 Baca will discuss the findings of the FTC Survey in front of a workshop designed to explore violence in the media and industry self regulation. FTC Chairman Timothy Murris and Representative Frank Wolf (R-VA), a cosponsor of the bill, will join Baca at the workshop. 

Currently, HR 669 has 42 bi-partisan cosponsors.