What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

So I was just looking at pictures on Facebook of this 4 year old boy opening up birthday gifts. One of his gifts was a fake rifle. I personally would not buy my DS or DD any toy guns. I was wondering what other people thought about this.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

from a BTDT with an 11 and 16 DS. Even if you don't buy them toy guns, don't be surprised if they turn non-gun items into guns when they play.

Anything can be made a gun with the correct sound effects.

And on this topic...I am done.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

Message edited 1/27/2010 8:11:35 PM.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

not gonna happen

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I wouldn't buy it for them, except maybe a water gun. But I don't know what I'd do if he got one as a gift... I didn't even think that kids played with toy guns anymore.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

If/when I have a boy, not getting guns. Just don't see the need.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

No guns of any sort are allowed in our house. Just don't see the need when there are more constructive things to play with.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I don't buy my kids any toy guns, and wouldn't allow any realistic looking guns in their toy collection. That said, once we started having kid birthday parties, classmates started buying them Nerf guns and such, and though I wouldn't choose it for them, I deal with it.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

they will have to be on the older side so that they know the difference between the real and toy guns since we do have them in the house...

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

ITA!! I've seen many boys make guns out of legos, blocks, etc..

ETA- I will buy them for my DS when he is older if he wants them but I will teach him about guns, and how serious real ones are


Same here

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

DS is almost 3. Someone gave him a few little gifts for Easter last year (when he was almost 2) one of them was a toy foam gun. I threw it away b/c I didn't think it was appropriate.

I have 2 nephews (8yrs old and 9 yrs old) who are constantly playing with toy guns (nerf dart guns mostly) and DS sees that.

My DH is a cop, and DS saw his gun (in holster as he came home from work- prior to secure it in the safe) and DS said "Daddy, is that your gun?" We both were shocked that he knew what is was! DH asked how he knew about guns, and he said one of my nephew's names!

He plays with some toys and holds them like guns, though he doesn't have any toy guns. Nor do I allow to play with my nephews guns (BTW, he only sees my nephews a maximum of once MAYBE twice a month).

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I don't have a son - but personally I wouldn't buy it for them.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I have a 13 y/o SS and we have water guns, nerf balsters, cap guns and even a marshmallow gun (this is his favorite one). I think it is harmless, we teach him to respect people and life, he knows the guns are toys and knows that real guns are weapons. He doesn't play with them pretending to kill people - he plays to soak someone with water, to hit a target with a nerf dart, to see a puff of smoke from a cap or to see if he can get the marshmallows in a wheel barrel.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I have given DS a water gun to play with, that doesn't bother me and I have honestly never thought I was opposed to him playing with one but on 2 occassions now I have seen him play with a gun at a friends house and I have to admit it made me cringe (he is 3 1/2). I didn't like it, but I do think if he asks for one when he is older I'd probably let him have it, but we'd have many discussions about how dangerous a real gun is etc.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I think kids will turn anything into a gun when they see what guns do and that could be from friends, television, movies etc.

I would like to think I will make a conscious effort to seriously limit Abby's exposure to those things in my home. I personally will not buy her guns. I would return any gifts of guns that are given to her.

I hate to say this, but Abby, right now, is very much a girly-girl. Id be as to why anyone would associate guns with her. It just seems ludicrous.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

no way but I WILL teach my children gun safety

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

i will not be buying toy guns for my son. Nope. Definitely not.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

Josh is constantly shooting at us. He has had little water guns in the past.

Will turn stick, marble tubes, legos, even a chicken nugget into a gun.

I don't tolerate him saying he is shooting bullets, I tried to convince him its a love gun shooting out love...that was a no go.

he is sold on "freeze power"
so when he shoots us, we are frozen until hot water is shot at us.

that seemed more 3 year old friendly then bullets.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

we will, but would NEVER buy a gun for a child as a gift

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I'm a Police Officer,and I WILL NOT buy my son any toy guns....

I have also explained to ALL family members, that because of what I do, I do NOT want any toy guns of any kind in my home...

Until my son is older and I can educate him on guns and gun safety.... He will not play with them...

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

Im OK with water guns and thats it.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

As the wife of a police officer I am against it. It scares the crap out of me. I don't want my thinking guns are toys, especially b/c we have firearms in the house. I have heard way too many horror stories.

Re: What do you think about giving your child toy guns?

I was against guns in my house -even water guns (unless they were really non gun looking - like the Diego dolphin one or something). Then my son started preschool at 3.5 - I was shocked when he came home right away imitating gun noises and talking about guns and shooting. We had avoided those words in our house and I thought I would not have toy guns in my house as long as I could. He watched the baby shows still and was clueless. He had no clue what he was doing or saying when I asked. The teacher said the kids at school do it all day long adn they break it up when it happens but like others above said the teachers said they constantly make them out of blocks, legos whatever they can. My son at 5 is starting to understand more and we have a few toy guns in my house. He is getting into star wars, pirates, superheros and all that boy stuff - all which comes with weapons. My 2.5 year old uses gun and shoot in his speech - something my older son had no clue of at that age. Now I feel now - raise them well, and educate and hope for the best.