Toy gun in the park

Everyone had them in the 70s. They were awesome fun 😊

My older brother had a BB gun, it’s hurts and they are dangerous. Imagine if that pellet accidentally hit someone’s eye. You did the right thing if it was a BB gun, did you ask?

If it was a gun that made noise but didn’t shoot anything, I’d be less concerned.

What did the boys say when you asked them not to bring their guns to the playground?

I don't think that's appropriate at all, can't believe people think it's ok!

Remember being in a busy touristy seaside town and a little boy was walking down the promenade pretending to shoot people with a toy gun- yes it was obviously a toy but I just thought it was very inappropriate and in bad taste

Yup, they are still a thing 😂

Oh, I remember them, my big brother had one 😂
Need to Google that now. Brb

No, I'm with you on this. I won't have toys guns.

There are rules about where you can fire BB guns and what they should look like.

FAQ (askthe.police.uk)

Some BB guns do look realistic and don't have an orange colour on - they shouldn't be in a public place.

Now thats a memory unlocked!

What about for costumes? When I was five, I was Robin Hood for Halloween and had a quiver of fake arrows, so I have to disagree about “any toy weapons.” There are some costumes that are just incomplete without fake weapons - Star Wars Jedi, knight, cowboy.

I had no idea toy guns had orange tips here, thanks!

Op, I would have freaked too if it was banging. Despite my 5yo ds recently entering nerf (and foam diamond pickaxe from minecraft) age. We don't take them out though.

BB guns aren't suitable for under at least 16, might be 18

UK toy guns should have an orange tip to show its a toy

If it made a loud BANG it sounds like a cap gun which didn't shoot anything

There are Nerf guns now which shoot gel pellets

UK police aren't likely to shoot a child. That's definitely an American thing. UK police aren't regularly armed for a start...

I think you might have been a little OTT tbh

OP, if you'd posted asking "aibu to let my two unsupervised children play with a pellet or BB gun in a play park where there are pre-school children" everyone would be outraged.

Can't believe people are telling you that you're overreacting.

Quote from the Web:

"Though they are significantly less powerful than real firearms, non-powder guns such as BB or air guns can be deadly, and should be regulated as such. Non-powder guns, such as BB and air guns, are not toys—they kill and injure thousands of people each year, including children and teenagers."

Even nerf guns can be dangerous if you're hit in the eye. Play at your own risk, not round a bunch of small children.

I have three boys and I absolutely agree with this. I think it's weirder that it's normalised. It's odd to me that we're the weird ones tbh

I know parents who wouldn't buy their sons guns
The boys just made sticks, pens, trains... anything into guns they would point at each other and shout bang

You don't have to give them toy guns for them to pretend to kill each other. It's what kids have played since forever. Being dashing heroes against wicked foes... the eternal battle of good vs evil

If it was a BB gun then actually I think you are right to have a word. BB's can properly hurt people at close range and can damage eyes etc quite badly.

Nerf guns and things like that are fine, BB guns which look like actual guns and fire hard pellets I think are a bit ropey in public areas.

Personally I don't think any toy guns (or any toy weapons) are appropriate and I'm surprised that parents still buy them. Surely we should not be teaching or encouraging our children to simulate the act of killing and maiming other living things. But I guess I'm going to be the outlier and weirdo on this thread.

UK toy guns have a bright orange tip to show they're toys.

They're not imitation fire arms.

You did the right thing op, anything firing a pellet is fine at home in their own garden but not for the park or in public.

Maybe it was a spud gun 🔫. Are they still a thing or am I showing my age?

I’m surprised the kids parents didn’t have something to say about you telling their kids what they should or shouldn’t bring to the park.

Did they leave any mess behind?
That would be an issue for me.

But the playing with toy guns in play park isn't a problem.