Rep renews 'P for Parents' effort

To the editor:

During this past legislative session, my fellow House Democrats joined me in sponsoring legislation entitled "Rated P for Parents" that would have given parents more control over the video games their children purchase. The recent discovery that the violent video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas contains hidden pornography shows why we need to pass this legislation and underscores a fact of life for parents today: It's getting tougher to protect children from the excesses of popular culture.

Those of us in public service should give families the support they need in an increasingly complex world. Using the video game industry's ratings system, our legislation would ban the sale of video games rated "M for Mature" or "AO for Adults Only" to minors. Retailers who peddle these games to minors would face criminal penalties. All retailers would be required to post information about the new restrictions in their stores.

Our legislation would bring video games in line with movies and explicit music. A young teen can't legally purchase a "Rated R" movie ticket or buy an inappropriate CD. The same should be true for video games.

It's not clear why our legislation failed to even get a hearing during the last legislative session. The issues that empower parents and protect children go beyond partisanship. In the next legislative session, we will continue to support parents' efforts to raise healthy families. By working together, we can make a difference for Missouri's kids.

JEFF HARRIS, State Representative, 23rd District, Columbia, Mo.