Voting gamers try to sway Schwarzenegger

The Entertainment Software Association's Video Game Voters Network is putting out a call to action. Earlier this week, a federal judge ruled that California's law restricting minors from buying violent games was unconstitutional. Shortly after that news broke, the state's governor and former film star Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his intent to appeal the ruling.

"I signed this important measure to ensure that parents are involved in determining which video games are appropriate for their children," Schwarzenegger said, promising to "vigorously defend" the law.

The VGVN is imploring gamers to put up some vigorous defense of their own, asking California residents to write Schwarzenegger and urge him to withdraw his appeal (which has not actually been filed yet). The group's official Web site even includes a form letter to make it as effortless a process as possible.

"Video games, even violent ones, are a protected form of expression, just like movies," the letter reads. "Do you really believe that it should be illegal for a 16-year-old boy to watch True Lies? The answer is no--it is a decision for parents to make, not the government."

By providing an e-mail, name, and address, gamers can have the VGVN send Schwarzenegger a copy of the form letter. They can also add in their own remarks, and the VGVN even provides a list of talking points to consider making to the governor. It should be noted that filling out the form on the Web site also automatically registers a person in the VGVN.