Oklahoma State Rep Wants to Tax Violent Videogames

Teen, Mature and Adult Only games could face an extra tax when sold in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, is also the state where state reps try to pass legislature taxing the sale of videogames. The bill would charge a one percent tax on the sale of any games rated Teen, Mature and Adult Only.

The bill was introduced into Oklahoma state representative Will Fourkiller - yes, that's his real name - in order to fight childhood obesity and game inspired violence. He doesn't mention, of course, that kids spending unreasonable amounts of time playing videogames is almost certainly a symptom of a bigger problem.

Fourkiller says that games like the 2001 release 'Bully' and 'Grand Theft Auto' inspired the initiative. "A gentleman shot a police officer and stole his car," he says. "He had been playing Grand Theft Auto. Not everybody is going to react the same, but I believe after hours and hours of watching the screen, playing the video game, being that person and taking on that role, people get desensitized."

Fourkiller believes this despite the fact that science has found no cause-effect relationship between violent games and violent behavior.

The bill will be read before the house on February 6th. If you happen to live in Oklahoma, it's time to make some calls and shoot off some emails.

Source: GameSpot

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