Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is tilting at windmills with his efforts to put an age limit on violent or sexually explicit video games.

Blagojevich would make it illegal for anyone younger than 18 to buy – or even possess – games like “Halo 2,” “Grand Theft Auto” or “Doom 3.” For those unfamiliar with the games, they are incredibly violent and realistic. More than just a few casual observers have been fooled by the stunning graphics into believing an ad for one World War II game was actually for a new movie.

The violence is realistic, games are growing more sexually explicit and parents have reason for concern. As Blagojevich says, “This is all about protecting our children until they are old enough to protect themselves.”

There’s plenty to protect kids from in these games. Prohibiting such materials, however, is not the best way to protect children from disturbing images. Making the games illegal is a clear violation of First Amendment protections for unpopular speech.

Already similar laws in Indiana and Missouri have been struck down as unconstitutional infringements on free speech.

Parents are the best line of defense against video games that are too “mature” for young gamers. Parents should screen video games before allowing their kids to play or buy them. Ultimately, the person who controls the money controls the buying decisions and that should be the grown-ups in the house.

Blagojevich has identified a real issue in a massive industry. Video games accounted for about $7 billion in spending last year, making it a major competitor with the movie industry for entertainment spending.

As the Sun Journal reported Monday, gaming is hugely popular, particularly among teen-aged boys and young adults. A group of local players will hold a gaming event at the Chalet Motel in Lewiston on Jan. 15 that could attract as many as 90 participants willing to pay $15 to compete against each other.

For adults unfamiliar with the new generation of video games and the ratings used to describe their content, it might be difficult to imagine how graphic, realistic and brutal they can be. While they might never take their 13-year-old to see a horror movie, there’s little hesitation before spending $50 for a video game that’s even worse.

Shielding kids from mature-themed video games shouldn’t start with new laws, but with informed parents.