Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Sophie Austin at The Associated Press is the basis of this AI-assisted article.
Sacramento is moving to repeal a 1949 city ordinance that banned the distribution of certain crime-themed comic books to minors, a law that remains on the books but is no longer enforced.
Some key facts:
• Sacramento’s 1949 ordinance bars the distribution of comic books prominently featuring crime with images of illegal acts like arson, murder, or rape to children and teens.
• A City Council committee unanimously voted to advance the repeal and designate the third week of September as “Sacramento Comic Book Week.”
• The ban was created during mid-20th-century fears that comic books could lead to illiteracy or inspire violent crime.
• Similar bans were passed in cities across the country, from Los Angeles County to Lafayette, Louisiana, though they are rarely, if ever, enforced today.
• Comic book author Eben Burgoon started a petition to overturn Sacramento’s ban, arguing that antiquated laws could enable bad actors to threaten the medium.
• The California Supreme Court ruled in 1959 that Los Angeles County’s similar crime comic book ban was unconstitutional because it was too broad.
• Sacramento comic shop owner Lecho Lopez credits comic books with improving his reading skills as someone with dyslexia and helping him avoid gang involvement.
• Research on similar media like television and video games has not shown a link to clinically relevant changes in youth aggression or violent behavior, according to psychology professor Christopher Ferguson.
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
