Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 20, 2003
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke Signs ‘Violent Video Game’ Legislation

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today signed legislation making it illegal to rent or sell video games containing graphic violence against law enforcement officers to children under the age of 17.

Joining the governor at the signing were members of the House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Law, including the committee’s chair and sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle. Washington is the first state to adopt legislation of this kind.

“It is important to foster an environment where young people respect those who uphold the law,” Locke said. “Allowing children to play video games where the object is to kill or injure law enforcement officers is not the way to reinforce this message.”

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1009 will prohibit retailers from selling or renting any video game to children under 17 that they know graphically depicts violence against law enforcement officers. A violation would result in a civil fine of up to $500.

“We are very happy to see this bill signed into law,” Dickerson said. “Our children are already exposed to far too much violence in our society. We hope that this will help stem some of the violent material that is just not suitable for their use.”

The video game industry currently has a voluntary rating system to identify games suitable for different ages. Games like those covered by the bill would be included among those rated “M,” suitable for those 17 and older. However, in a test conducted by Mothers Against Violence in America in King County, 12 out of 13 stores sold “M” rated video games to 14- and 15-year olds.

Numerous studies have linked children’s exposure to violent images and games with subsequent violent or other anti-social behavior.

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