To not want toy guns

[yesiamwhoyouthinkiam]

I know I will get a lot of 'boys will use sticks as guns, it's just what they do' responses but I wondered if there were any other parents here who have successfully managed to at least keep toy guns out of their houses?

My DS (almost 4) has already started making shooting actions, talking about 'good shot' and mentioned 'killing monsters with guns' which I know he has picked up from nursery and my DHs tendency to let him watch slightly unsuitable cartoons (scooby doo, super ted).

I have tried explaining that guns are just not nice things to have but clearly it's all just a game to DS.

Was quite aghast at his similar aged cousin threatening to shoot my DS this week.

Anyone been able to successfully keep guns away from their kids (boys I suppose) even after they have started school?

[RiverTam]

yes, it's bollocks, of course a child's imaginative play is not negatively impacted on by not having toy guns, what utter nonsense.

[aciddrops]

Would the anti gun parents allow their children to go to a lazer quest party?

[SelfconfessedSpoonyFucker]

We didn't have them in my house. We didn't have water guns either, we got pool noodles that shoot water, they work better IMO and float.

[sashh]

I don't like the ease with which we normalise weapons that can instantly kill a person

So no Dr's and nurses play sets then, or vets. No toy cars or motorbikes. Someone mentioned light sabres - are they allowed?

Does he eat with a knife and fork? Do you know how many knife crimes there are?

This whole thing about 'kids will make guns from anything' - there's an easy way round that - don't let them. We weren't, so didn't.

Really?

Not at school? At friends houses? Playing out?

[cdwales]

Ditto we just never had them - and GPs on board too. Now they do as YPs because we live on a farm...

[aciddrops]

How about paint balling for your teenagers?

[BookABooSue]

At first I didn't buy toy guns for DS then two things happened.

1. I realised I was tying myself in knots trying to work out where to draw the line - was a laser/Buzz Light year gun OK? Was a bow and arrow OK? What about water guns? I'm a firm believer in being consistent and realised that I couldn't impose such a restriction with any consistency. If it was about banning any type of weapon then that meant playing Vikings was out, as was being a space ranger, etc etc
   
2. One of the many parenting books I read made a very good argument for allowing imaginative play that included guns. The reasoning was along the lines of empowering DCs to explore emotions, and not making them feel ashamed of their desire to play in that way. I found that logic much more compelling.