Do video games cause/encourage violence?

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There's real world violence, and then there's fantasy violence.
It's a distinction that should be made, in my humble opinion.

Video games can desensitize a person to fantasy violence, sure.

Also, there was a study last year (I forget what website I read it on) that showed how violence among youth has steadily declined in the last 2 decades.

They stated it has something to do with games giving teenagers an outlet for adolescent aggression.

It used to be that boys would roam the streets looking for trouble, but now most kids are happy to blow each other up in First-Person-Shooters instead.

Seems like a much more healthy outlet to me.

The rating system is there for a reason, kids should never be exposed to such material, period.

I think that's up to the parents to decide, so you raise your children as you see fit and please allow me to raise mine as I see fit, mmkay?

I was watching Rated R movies when I was 11, buying "Explicit Lyric" music since the PMRC slapped labels on them in 1987 (when I was 13), and I was sipping beer from my dad's cans since as early as 2 years old. I'd like to think I turned out pretty good - at least I have not killed anyone or have not committed any crimes. My only brushes with the law has been 3 speeding tickets.

My 2 daughters have been exposed to R-rated movies while "underage" and both have had a few drinks in their teens. Neither of my girls are into video games, but both girls are into music, and some of their choices have explicit lyrics. To my knowledge, none are any more maladjusted than the preacher's kid who is under lock and key and won't be exposed to society until they're 40.

And FWIW, there are speed limits for a reason, too (not necessarily safety-related, either), however, how many people follow them?

Your statement seemed a little charged, but I will respond nonetheless.
1. Raise your kids however you like, but if they turn out badly as a result, you have only yourself to blame for not teaching them civilized behavior. That's the way it works. If you've made it clear to your kids that video games are not reality, nor do they reflect how anyone should behave in society, then hat's off to you because that's a concept lost on the majority of parents these days.

2. People can break the law all they want, but they shouldn't be surprised when they have to face the consequences of their actions as a result. Besides that, using a traffic law as an example, and comparing it to a rating system that is in no way legally required (otherwise parents everywhere would be arrested), is seriously flawed.