Missouri Republican Wants Violent Video Game Tax 506
New submitter sHr0oMaN writes with news that Diane Franklin, a Republican member of Missouri's state House of Representatives, has proposed a sales tax on violent video games. The proposal, HB0157I, is one of many responses to the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. The proceeds from the tax would go toward mental health programs and law enforcement in the hopes that future shootings can be prevented. The total amount taxed would be small — 1% — and would be applied to video games rated Teen, Mature, or Adult-only by the ESRB. Of course, many games earn the "Teen" rating without having violence in them, like Guitar Hero. The Entertainment Software Association responded to Rep. Franklin's bill with a statement: "Taxing First Amendment protected speech based on its content is not only wrong, but will end up costing Missouri taxpayers."
Already against this on principle. (Score:4, Informative)
Like TFS states, games can receive T, M, or AO ratings without being violent. If a game is AO for explicit sexual content, that isn't a violent video game (and I would be hard-pressed to find someone other than this Missouri representative who would believe otherwise). The ESRB does give specific qualifiers in the ratings for why a game is rated as it is. The ESRB will tell you, on the box, if a video game received its rating because of violent content.
If section 144.1020 were re-written so as to appear to be the product of a reasonable human being, I might be in favor of this idea.
Re:Taxes (Score:4, Informative)
(and yes, I did read where they said the tax money would go... but read the bill text... don't follow the words, follow the money. The money, in this case, goes to the general fund.)
Re:The exception proves the exception (Score:2, Informative)
For the record, Columbine had *armed guards*. But, hey, don't let facts get in the way of a good story...
Re:The exception proves the exception (Score:4, Informative)
I found that you are 7.5 time more likely to die from a Broken Heart [cbsnews.com]
Also, if teens drink [ncpc.org] they are 7.5 time more like to die.
If you are a fat ass, you are 7.5 time more likely to have Choledocholithiasis. [symcat.com]
If you are a loser 45 year old then you are 7.5 times more likely to waste money. [pocketgamer.biz]
Lastly (on the Google search results) if your PSA values are between 2.0 to 2.9 ng/mL you are 7.5 times more likely to die of Prostate cancer.
But nothing about guns being 7.5 times more deadly than....what? Hammers? [wiscnews.com] nope. Baseball bats? [woai.com] hmmm..nope. I know! knives! [yahoo.com] drag...sorry, not knives either.
So I have to conclude you just pulled that out of your ass. Hint: Brady Gun Control propaganda is about the same thing as your ass.
Re:Misdirection (Score:4, Informative)
they don't report people defending themselves on the news