They can in Lake County, Florida. I was just kidding about Jackass. It was Jackass Number Two that a kid who appeared to be about 11 rented! And the issue was born.
Last week, the library board voted 9-0 against a policy that would prohibit kids under 17 from renting R-rated movies. Lake County commissioners are set to discuss the board’s recommendation today.
So what’s the reasoning behind the unanimous vote? Movie ratings are set by a private group, the Motion Picture Association of America. According to Assistant County Attorney Kimberly Williams, “It’s an unconstitutional delegation of authority for the county to use those MPAA ratings as a guideline for obscenity.” Her opinion is supported by several court decisions, including one by a federal judge in Minnesota last year.