A report in today's Washington Post reveals that the government's push to censor games is still snowballing because of the Littleton shooting. Republicans in the House have launched a new strategy that hopes to restrict teenagers' access to violent entertainment materials. Interestingly, the original juvenile justice bill combined this topic with more stringent gun controls, but the Republicans have decided to try to split the one bill into two separate bills.

　　Votes on the two bills will take place later this week. If the bills are approved, they'll more than likely be legally challenged as a violation of first amendment rights. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Henry J. Hyde (R-Ill.) told the Rules Committee, "The fact is, new gun laws and tighter control of the juvenile justice system are not by themselves a cure for the epidemic of youth violence. To be truly responsive to the issue of youth violence, Congress must identify and address the influences that cause young people to become violent."

　　Hyde's measure as it stands would seek to bar minors from viewing or buying certain video games, books, pictures, and films if the materials qualified as obscene or being "designed to appeal or pander to the prurient, shameful, or morbid interest." The Republican chairman has defined violent material as items depicting sadistic or masochistic flagellation, torture, acts of mutilation, or rape.

　　Whether the bill will pass or not has yet to be determined, but younger gamers may want to take notice as bills like this are being considered for addition to US law. If the bill is passed, we'll keep you informed.