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?

[DamnBamboo]

Just curious. Laser quest, paintball etc... big party activity around here. Girls and boys, mums and dads all join in... What will you do OP if that is ever requested.

FWIW - I have three boys, a house FULL of guns. I mean, you've never seen a collection like it. My nephews (now 18) passed down all theirs and man, some of them are awesome.

Anyway, my three plus a few friends play along with these guns, a combination of nerfs and other 'foam fun' varieties and the best bit is that my youngest two, can often be seen doing this adorned in tutu's, or with some pink beads on, or perhaps carrying a fairy wand. Some days, they wear binoculars with other explorer gear... some food for thought here. You are overthinking this.

[Finney2]

My son doesn't have toy guns (or water pistols) as I don't think people should make toys out of what are essentially weapons. He doesn't have toy swords, knives etc. If he wants to make a toy gun out of a stick (he hasnt yet) I would probably tell him that pretending to shoot people is not a nice game.

I don't think that playing with toy guns makes children into adult killers. I just don't think it's particularly nice for children to pretend to kill their friends.

It hasn't been difficult to resist outside influences. If he asks for a toy weapon I just say no.

Other parents can do what they like. This is just my personal choice.

And if he grows up to have a stunted imagination, or whatever, then I will obviously consider it my fault and self-flagellate accordingly.

[scottishmummy]

If you didn't want your opinion challenged,dont post on a forum.

Are you aware gun use is a very restricted and licensed activity?its not normalised
There are specific and strict guidelines on firearms.its an adult activity
For police to carry guns requires approval and specialist training

Gun use,is rare even when used in criminal activity - and in fact police figures show gun use decreasing

So unless you live in north america,on the projects im sure you're perception of guns isn't as normalised

[DamnBamboo]

Don't think SM is on drugs, but perhaps you need something to help you relax!

[shrunkenhead]

You're not getting a lot of support on here OP but I would not buy my child a toy gun/another child one for their birthday/and would be miffed if mine received one as a present. It's not so much the normalising that bothers me but the idea that children are not aware of what these toys represent - very dangerous weapons that have the potential to seriously injure and kill people.

[DamnBamboo]

We have toy archery sets, swords, robots that walk around that you programme to 'shoot' foam darts/discs at things!

The markmanship required is surprisingly difficult.

[Dilligufdarling]

Actually I've told DH that we will not be having you guns in the house for slightly different reasons.
DH shoots as a sport, has a licence and we do have (shot) guns in the house (albeit locked away and not visible).
It is inevitable that DS will come into contact with them as he gets older and I know DH would like to share this hobby if he's interested.
However I would want him to accord guns with the required level of respect and view them as a tool/sporting item. Not a toy. And certainly I would deem it unacceptable to pretend to shoot a person with a you gun.

[Dilligufdarling]

You gun= toy gun

[thereturnofshoesy]

sorry but this thread is so PFB it is untrue
ds was my PFB, but playing with toy guns,swords and so on
oh and being a power ranger. has not turned him into a yob
the complete opposite.
thanks for the lol though

[DamnBamboo]

very dangerous weapons that have the potential to seriously injure and kill people

Let's reflect on this for a second.

What are the chances that your child will ever see, or even begin to understand that a 'gun' is real thing.

Strangely (or not to me) my kids - don't die when they're hit with guns. They just lose a point or their opponent gains a point depending on the game.

Death is not involved at all.

[FatherSpodoKomodo]

I've got 5 boys. I've never bought them a toy gun other than a water pistol. Only because they never showed any interest in them.

I'm not anti toy guns, I played with them when I was younger and have yet to shoot anyone.

Also, all of mine have been rifle shooting with Cubs/Scouts so they know how to handle rifles, and know the safety rules around them.

They still prefer archery anyway! But I don't think handling guns, real or not, will make them anymore likely to shoot someone. Just as I think they're not going to run someone through with a sword because they've been re-enacting Zorro in their play.

[DamnBamboo]

Someone please show me where the hundreds of thousands of lunatics, maniacal teenagers are currently - given their current level of exposure to paintballing, laser quest, toy guns etc...

[thereturnofshoesy]

well mine is anti war.goes on feminist marches and is all about peace

[WorraLiberty]

The 'glue' comment is known on mumsnet as a very lame, outdated response op

Did you mean to be so rude??

[thereturnofshoesy]

SugarSkully
mike the knight is bad as the girl uses magic....he has a sword
time for school.......this week....RL children were waving "wands" they turned their teacher into.....a crayon...


and



a pencil

[DamnBamboo]

OMG - I've just read the OP again.

Scooby Doo and Super Ted are unsuitable!

That says it all.

[FatherSpodoKomodo]

Oh yes, my son did try and turn his dad into a warty toad the other day.

Fortunately it was only a pretend wand, imagine the damage if it had been a real wand!

I hope he doesn't grow up hexing people. Actually, I do, because having a wizard son would be totally cool and he could go to Hogwarts and I'd get to go to Diagon Alley.

[yesiamwhoyouthinkiam]

Thanks for the recent replies from people who feel the same, thanks for answering my question and it's encouraging to know that it can be done. finney and shrunkenhead have you had much upset over it from your DC? My son hasn't requested any guns yet but does mention them to me. Do you explain to your dc why they can't have one or just say no? I think at three he's a bit young for me to be explaining all about why I don't like guns as toys but I am guessing I will at some point?

In answer to some of the other questions. DH was also surprised at younger cousin having a gun. I don't think DH cottoned on to the fact that Texas pete uses a gun in superted, when he realised that there were guns in some scooby doos we decided to switch to the gentler scrappy do ones. I was more concerned about the constant use of 'stupid' and 'dummy' in superted for a long time.

RE paintball, I managed to get all the way through childhood and young adult hood without doing paintball. If my son was asked or did ask to go to paintball at this age (3) then I would definitely say no. Not sure how things will develop later but like all parenting I am dealing with now rather than then.

We don't have water pistols or nerf guns, he does have a foam sword and my DH has a light saber but DS is not interested in either.

[FatherSpodoKomodo]

I didn't even know Super Ted was still around. Unless it's a different Super Ted and not the crap 80s show I'm thinking about.

[yesiamwhoyouthinkiam]

"Did you mean to be so rude??". Of course they did

[xalyssx]

I used to feel like you did OP, but then I decided that I should use the opportunity to teach my kids about guns.

[thereturnofshoesy]

ahh op didn't realise you only wanted people to post who agreed
I don't
as no harm was done to my dc by playing with pretend guns

bless