Pennsylvania Lawmakers Propose A Violent Video Game Tax In An Attempt To Help Prevent School Shootings

As reported by PCGamesN, Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed a bill that would place an additional 10% tax on video games considered violent and that the ESRB gives a M for Mature and Adults-Only rating.

Proposed by Republican representative Chris Quinn, House Bill 109 would raise the cost of most standard full release games from $60 to around $70. The money made from the proposed (and nicknamed)”sin-tax” would then be placed in a fund called the “Digital Protection for School Safety Account” which would further attempt to raise school safety systems in order to attempt and prevent further school shootings.

First proposed by Quinn in October of 2018, Quinn partially quoted a study done by the National Center for Health Research which noted that video games can potentially increase aggressive thoughts and behaviors in some. Quinn seemed to leave out the portion in which the study noted that major contributors to violent acts are mental illness, access to weapons, home environment, and numerous other factors.

While the bill failed last year, it now seems t have a bit more support. It will be interesting to see if the ESA (Entertainment Software Association), a lobbying group that works on the behalf of the video game industry will be able to stop it this time. Otherwise, things will be getting a bit pricier for gamers in the Keystone State.

Source – PCGamesN
Featured Image – Bullet Storm

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