To buy children nerf guns or not??? They desperately want them, I would desperately rather they didn't!

[chitchat1234]

My two boys have both asked for nerf guns this christmas, we have some land and woodland and they really want them to play with up there. I've always been really anti guns. This isn't because I buy into a belief system that says if they play guns they'll turn into mass murderers (I know research continuously disproves this), but we have guns in our house (due to land), always kept under lock and key, and I just have a real fear of them ever thinking these are toys. And though I cannot ever envisage a scenario where it could happen - my fear is them ever mistaking these for toys and really shooting someone or themselves. I know I am probably being really over the top but would welcome others views - should I let them have this christmas wish? I should say at this point I'm only considering the smallest, most basic models, and boys are 4 & 6.

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

Get them, they'll have lost all the bullets within half an hour anyway!

[sagamartha]

They are fun.

[Bonelessbanquet]

What about a laser quest type toy instead, then they aren’t physically shooting a bullet?

[ProfessorCat]

I'd go for Laser X instead. No bullets to use and brilliant fun.

[ProfessorCat]

Lose not use.

[jaseyraex]

I got my boys the laser guns. They love them and there's no bullets to run around finding every ten minutes! We also have guns on our farm. They're locked up but the boys know they're there and I like to think I've taught them how dangerous they are. I'm sure yours will also know they're not toys.

[Justbookedasummmerholiday]

Nerf guns +safety goggles from £shop!! Ds has just got some and we have all had a great time! Offers on at Smythes. It's Christmas and the whole point is to get something fun not sensible!! Imo!!

[Juicyfruitloop]

We repeatedly drilled into DS head no shooting at anyone or any living thing, They are great fun once they understand and don't shoot each other.

[SandLand]

Has anyone seen the NERF cars things?? Are they any good?
Off to investigate the laser ones. Al, my shopping us done by Amazon. We land back in the UK on the 24th!

[Juicyfruitloop]

Oh yes as PP above, definitely safety goggles accidents happen.

[buzzbuzzbumblebee]

My DS will be 6 in February. I am very anti-guns (except water guns) and he is fully aware. He’s never asked me for a toy gun because he knows how I feel about them - but has asked me for the nerf archery set. My sister has one and he loves it.

If you’re against guns, would that be a good compromise?

[Dragonfree]

Compromise by buying the guns with safety goggles. You can then explain that all guns require care and that way you can teach them safety.

[shakingmyhead1]

I went to a 2nd hand store and found a huge box of nerf guns so i got them all, my husband and Mr9 have had so much fun with them, some are battery powered and shoot discs rather than the tubes, every room i walk into has little green discs in it! but its been the best $26 i have spent in a long time! they have so much fun, they will lay in wait for each other to walk past and attack... no ones been hurt and nothings been broken, so i say go for it!

[BeALert]

Use it as opportunity to teach them the difference between toy guns and real guns.

I live in the US so it's always been important that my kids know not to play with guns they might find. We have nerf guns and the difference between them and real guns is obvious. What I don't like here is buying kids toy guns that look like real ones.

[SundayLunchHappy]

As long as they don't point them at people or animals it could be a good way to teach them how to play with them responsibly and have respect for 'real guns' later on. But seriously make clear the no people/animal thing speaks from painful experience

[Stoptherideiwannagetoff]

Ignoring the 'guns are bad' issue, you would be finding the bastard bullets for years! They're tremendous fun for smalls but even just this weekend I found another rather dusty rogue nerf bullet ... and ds guns went to the charity shop four bloody years ago...

[Oddmanout]

If you have guns due to land then treat the Nerf guns as an easy way to teach them range safety?

[CuppaSarah]

The key is to not buy enough nerf ammo, that way it either is lost immediately, or they learn to take care with it!

[QuopQuop]

Yeah they are great fun!!

I make my DC wear goggles and helmets and then we all have a battle!

[forceslover]

They are great fun, I have my own which I keep loaded incase if ambush 😜

[AalyaSecura]

I would - but not at 4 I don't think.

[AalyaSecura]

I would - but not at 4 I don't think.

[ChelleDawg2020]

They are too young. Not worth the risk of injury, especially if they choose to mod their weapons.

[Shiela2017]

My next door neighbours kids have these and I'm constantly picking up the 'bullets' in my garden..... 🙄 I don't get people who incourage thier kids with fake guns, its really wierd.

[Lweji]

Nerf guns aren't that different from water guns.
I'm fine with them as they don't really try to mimic real guns.