Michigan violent gaming bill signed into law

After a false start on Monday, Michigan governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed into law Senate Bill 416, which levies fines on anyone caught giving or selling violent video games to minors.

The Entertainment Software Association wasted no time in announcing its intention to file a lawsuit to have the law overturned on grounds that it limits First Amendment rights of Michigan residents and is too vague in its definition of what constitutes a violent game.

"I'm confident the court will affirm our position given the rulings on similar statutes in other jurisdictions," said ESA president Douglas Lowenstein. "Indeed, the facts, the science, the law, and the US Constitution have not changed since those decisions were handed down."

The similar statutes Lowenstein references include gaming laws struck down as unconstitutional in Indianapolis and Washington.