Sacramento Scraps Outdated Comic Book Ban

Sacramento is turning a new page for comic book enthusiasts! After 76 years, city officials are finally moving to repeal an antiquated 1949 law that technically banned the sale of certain comic books to minors. This long-unenforced ordinance, born from mid-century anxieties, is making way for a modern celebration of comics.

A Relic of the Past: Sacramento’s 1949 Comic Book Ban

For decades, Sacramento has technically had a law on its books prohibiting the distribution of comic books prominently featuring accounts of crime, such as images of illegal acts like arson, murder, or rape, to anyone under 18. This ordinance, adopted in 1949, was a direct response to widespread fears that comic books promoted illiteracy and inspired violent delinquency among children. Many local governments across the U.S. enacted similar bans during that period, though most, like Sacramento’s, have gone unenforced for years.

Lecho Lopez, owner of JLA Comics in Sacramento, highlights the absurdity of the ban. “It’s a silly law,” says Lopez, who personally credits comics with improving his reading skills as someone with dyslexia and helping him avoid negative influences in his youth. His 5-year-old nephew even read his first word from a graphic novel in his shop, underscoring the positive role comics can play in childhood literacy and development.

A New Chapter: Repeal and Comic Book Week

The good news for Sacramento’s vibrant comic book community is that change is imminent. A City Council committee recently voted unanimously to advance the repeal of the outdated law. The proposal now moves to the full council for a final vote, signaling a clear shift in perspective. In an exciting move, the committee also voted to designate the third week of September as “Sacramento Comic Book Week,” a testament to the city’s rich comic culture, which already hosts events like CrockerCon, a popular comics showcase at a local art museum.

Why the Push for Repeal Now? Modern Relevance

Local comic book author Eben Burgoon, who initiated the petition to overturn Sacramento’s ban, passionately argues that comics “have this really valuable ability to speak truth to power.” He emphasized that such “antiquated laws” create a “jeopardy” for the medium, especially amidst a modern wave of book bans seen nationwide. Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, strongly supports the repeal, stating that outdated bans “fly in the face of modern 1st Amendment norms” and should be removed.

Understanding the History of Media Censorship

The 1949 comic book ban isn’t an isolated incident but part of a larger historical pattern of moral panics surrounding new media forms, explains Jeff Trexler, interim director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. He notes that “every time there’s a new medium or a new way of distributing a medium, there is an outrage and an attempt to suppress it.” From films in the 1920s, which New York state created a commission to review for obscenity, to television and video games more recently, new forms of entertainment have frequently faced calls for censorship.

Legally, Sacramento’s ban is almost certainly unconstitutional. The California Supreme Court already ruled a similar Los Angeles County policy banning the sale of “crime” comic books to minors unconstitutional in 1959 because it was too broad. Furthermore, modern psychological research, as cited by Professor Christopher Ferguson, finds no link between comic books (or even television and video games) and increased youth aggression or violent behavior, effectively debunking the core fears that fueled the original ban.

The Undeniable Benefits of Comic Books

Beyond fostering literacy, comic books offer profound narrative depth and artistic expression. Benjamin Morse, a media studies lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and former Marvel employee, points to characters like Spider-Man as examples of mature concepts, dealing with complex themes of loss, responsibility, and justice. Lecho Lopez’s own story—using comics to improve his reading skills while navigating dyslexia and to steer clear of negative influences in his formative years—is a powerful testament to their positive impact.

As Eben Burgoon eloquently stated at the City Council hearing, comics make “imaginative thinkers.” They do not cause “widespread delinquency” or “societal harm.” Instead, they serve as a crucial tool for creativity, learning, and self-expression, enriching the lives of readers of all ages in Sacramento and across the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ban

• What exactly did the old law ban?
  The 1949 Sacramento ordinance banned selling comic books to minors that prominently featured accounts of crime, especially those showing illegal acts like arson, murder, or rape.
• Has this law been enforced recently?
  No, the law has not been enforced for many years, making it an outdated and effectively defunct regulation in practice.
• What is “Sacramento Comic Book Week”?
  Proposed to be held annually during the third week of September, this event aims to celebrate comic books, graphic novels, and the local comic book community in Sacramento.
• Why is it being repealed now?
  Officials and advocates believe it’s crucial to remove antiquated, potentially unconstitutional laws that could be misused, and to formally acknowledge the cultural and educational value of comics, especially amid ongoing national debates on book censorship.

This long-awaited repeal is a victory for free expression and a clear affirmation that in Sacramento, comic books are recognized as valuable tools for imagination, learning, and cultural engagement, not a threat.

Sacramento Scraps Outdated Comic Book Ban