But mom, I want to blow things up...

Judge Rules Mich. Video Game Law Illegal DETROIT - A federal judge has ruled that a Michigan law that bars retailers from selling or renting violent video games to minors is unconstitutional.

The Entertainment Software Association, Video Software Dealers Association and Michigan Retailers Association, trade groups representing U.S. computer and video game publishers, filed a lawsuit in September, charging that the law is unconstitutionally vague and limits First Amendment rights. [Yahoo News]

One of the great freedoms of the Constitution is the right of free speech. It is also one of the hardest to argue against when trying to ensure the safety of young people. More and more however, the government, whether at the Federal, State or local level, is trying to do what parents should be doing, and that is protecting their children. The law was an admirable attempt to protect young people. Frankly, I see little social or developmental value to shooting at something (especially when that something is law enforcement) and as a parent, I will not have those sorts of games in my house. But that does not mean I want the government making the decision that as a parent is my purview to make. What is happening though is that a large number of well meaning parents think that it should be the government's job. This is a classic misunderstanding of the roll of government in society, and more importantly, a complete disregard for the roll of the parent.