The law that bans the import, sale, and production of violent video games that passed in Venezuelan parliament in November of 2009 went into effect last Wednesday. Put forth by “President” Hugo Chavez, gamers could face 3-5 years in prison for violation, reports Games Thirst.
\Called the “Law for the Prohibition of Violent Video Games and Toys “(Ley para la Prohibición de Videojuegos Bélicos y Juguetes Bélicos), it expressly forbids “the manufacture, import, distribution, purchase, sale, rental, and use of violent toys and video games.”
The law paints a broad brush of what constitutes violent video games and toys. First person shooters and toy guns are obvious, but what about 2D shooters like Contra? What about action figures and water pistols? Well, if an elementary school here in the U.S. will nearly suspend a fourth grader for bringing a 2 inch LEGO gun to school, then it’s not too far fetched that a socialist dictatorship would be even more draconian.
The law states that anyone promoting the purchase of the prohibited items would be fined between 2,000 and 4,000 tax units, while those in direct violation who sell, rent, manufacture, or distribute such items would face 3-5 years in prison.
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