Judge Puts Oklahoma's Video Game Law On Hold

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 6:16 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A federal judge has permanently enjoined the state from enforcing a law that would ban the sale of violent video games to minors. U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron of Oklahoma City ruled the state law was an unconstitutional infringement on free speech.

Cauthron says there's no support or substantial evidence that video games are harmful to minors. She also says there's no legislative findings, scientific studies or other rationale to support passage of the law.

The video game legislation was passed by the state Legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry. It barred retailers from selling video games that include ``inappropriate'' or ``gratuitous'' violence for minors.

It was challenged in a federal lawsuit filed in October by the Entertainment Software Association.