As a kid, I'll admit I played Doom, Wolfenstein, and plenty of other violent, shooter games and watched plenty of violent movies. Never had issues, even when some of those games were probably too violent for that age. I knew what was real and what wasn't, and knowing that distinction is key when it comes to making sure whoever playing that game or watching that violent movie isn't going to go out and start shooting people.

Thing is, there are plenty of reminders that you're only playing a video game and everything you make your character do is just a virtual experience. Got shot but not feeling pain? You're playing a video game. Start over after dying? Yep, you're playing a video game. And those are just two of many signs that you're just playing a game and not a single thing you're doing is real. From stupid stuff like food healing you and being able to cast magic spells, there's plenty of reminders left and right.

Now, if you're someone that has mental issues where you can't separate the fantasy and virtual experience of video games from everyday life, there a problem. Most people play games to have fun, enjoy a competitive challenge, and they don't think twice about it. When the game goes off, it's back to reality and we set that stuff aside. But to those that feel like they're still living in the game outside of the actual game itself and think the same rules apply... that's a mental condition. Or when they play the game with the totally wrong mindset (such as playing GTA while fantasizing killing a real life person, committing crimes, etc.), that's also a mental condition.

It's really only those that can't separate the fantasy from reality that shouldn't be playing violent video games, have access to firearms, and so on.

Oh, and by the way, shooting a gun in real life is WAY, WAY different from video games and the movies. If you ever go to the range or take a firearms class, throw all that movie and video game junk out the window. Trust me.