The South Carolina House of Representatives got a look at an Aiken business before it voted 111-0 to approve a bill last week.
S.C. Rep. Bill Taylor, R-eastern Aiken County, showed a photo of Radioactive Pinball Arcade before the House voted to approve the second reading of a bill making it legal for minors to play pinball in the Palmetto State.
Two sections of South Carolina law make it a "status offense" for minors – people under 18 – to play pinball machines. And the bill, sponsored by S.C. House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, would remove playing pinball machines from the lists of status offenses.
Taylor called the current law "very archaic."
"It's just not necessary," he continued. "Good God, with the internet the way it is and what kids can see, I don't think playing a pinball machine is going to corrupt their lives."
Radioactive co-owner Eric Edwards said he agreed with Taylor.
"It's an unenforced, outdated law," Edwards said. "It's the same kind of thing that if you propose to a woman, the marriage must take place kind of thing. That's a current South Carolina statute. It's just something that's on the books that's unenforced."
Co-owner Erin Edwards was on the phone with Taylor as the House voted to approve second reading.
Erin said she approached Taylor about the law when the business opened last year. She said the bill was delayed last year and she was glad for the House to approve it this year.
Taylor said in his newsletter he called Erin a few minutes before and she called back during the debate over the bill.
"I was able to give her a play-by-play," Taylor said. "She was ecstatic over the unanimous vote."
Erin said the vote was "incredible."
The House is expected to consider giving third reading of the bill when it returns to session next week.
From there, the bill will go to the Senate.
