The most common argument used in defending first-person shooters and other violent games, is that people who are violent to begin with would be attracted to such games, as opposed to being influenced by them. An Australian study found that only children already predisposed to violence were affected by violent games. Some also argue that these games provide safe outlets for aggression and therefore prevent real life violence.
Some interesting statistics also suggest otherwise. According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Statistics, youth violence has actually decreased in the U.S. since 1993, despite the rise in popularity of first-person shooters in the last fifteen years. Another interesting stat is that the average player is 30 years old, the average buyer 37.
Most video game publishers abide by a voluntary rating system where violent games are given a rating of M for mature. Although there are currently no laws in the United States prohibiting the sale of such games to minors, large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy restrict people under 17 from purchasing M rated games.