April 26^th, 2005 (10:37pm) - Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Detroit, Michigan renewed her call Monday for quick action on a law to ban the sale or rental of violent or sexually themed video games to minors.

Granholm said scientific research and "common sense" lead to the conclusion that repeated exposure to "ultraviolent" and adult-themed video games harms children.

The potential for harm is even greater with games, she mentioned, because "kids are the ones committing the violent acts. Then they are rewarded for it."

Games like "Grand Theft Auto" reinforce choices that are "not just antisocial, they are sickening," she said.

"As a mother, it is my job to protect my children. As governor, it is my job to make sure everybody’s children are protected."

Granholm commented at a hearing sponsored by state Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, who introduced a bill that would make it illegal to provide a game rated for adults or mature audiences to anyone under 17. Violations would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $5,000 fine, upon conviction.

Granholm said she supports Clarke’s bill and criticized Republicans for not taking action on it so far this year.

Sen. Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, is a cosponsor of the bill. But he said last week it may have constitutional defects that would leave it vulnerable to court challenge. Cropsey has scheduled a hearing this week on a different, more technical bill that is designed to avoid those shortcomings while still keeping "ultraviolent" video games away from kids.

Many video store owners, including giant chains like Blockbuster, either do not carry adult materials or have in-house policies limiting their distribution to adults.

Clarke said Monday those voluntary standards are not adequate, and that too many parents are unaware of the level of explicit sex and violence in many video games.

After her testimony, Granholm said she was unaware of any specific instance in Michigan in which a minor exposed to violent or sex-laden videos had committed a crime. And she said she would not support any proposal that also targeted parents or guardians who allowed minors access to the objectionable games.

The aim, she said, is to help parents protect their children.