Carding Mature Game Sales

Much of the time gamers get incredibly angsty and vocal when bills are introduced that have the potential to regulate the industry more so than it already is. Gamasutra is reporting today that there is a new bill that is on the table that calls for video game ID checks. I'm sure, once this gets out, the gaming community will once again be up in arms about it. But why, exactly?

Why is it such a bad thing to enforce the regulations that are already in place? When you see an ESRB rating on a game of M, that means its not supposed to be sold to a minor. In fact, I have a feeling most gamers who are parents would agree with this rating system. I know, if I was a parent, I sure wouldn't want my pre-teen playing GTAIV. What is wrong with requiring ID verification that the person buying the game isn't a minor? After all, when you go to the store to buy some beer, if there's any doubt about your age, you should be carded and no one has a problem with that. Many stores and restaurants have made it a company policy to card everyone who purchases an alcoholic beverage.

What's wrong with requiring the same type of thing of retailers who sell video games? As the article points out, the first amendment, which so many gamers are quick to bring up when any such bill is introduced, really shouldn't have a bearing on this because the bill "does not attempt to rate or define the content itself, but instead legally enforce the existing age ratings".

As I've pointed out before, I'm absolutely not a fan of gratuitous violence or sex in games (thus why I have no interest in the likes of GTAIV). However, I can't say I'm for regulating the content itself or placing heavy restrictions on what is allowed on store shelves. The games should be available to those people who meet the age requirements and want to play them. The developers should be given the freedom to create the game they want to create. That all being said, I can't say I'm opposed to requiring ID verification from those purchasing M-rated (or worse) games. Its not the end-all, be-all of getting those games out of the hands of minors, because there's always the possibility that a parent or other person will buy it for them, but at least its a small step in the right direction.

[EDIT: Case in point - ESA Boss Slams Video Games Rating Bill as Unconstitutional. Give me a break.]