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.

[Crazmas]

Laser X sucks. I recommend trying something different. You get bored of laser x very quickly because of the small ‘zone’ which can be easily hidden.

Nerf guns are fun. Maybe they could only play with them under supervision?

[PrincessoftheSea]

Mine have them, but I also hate children playing with guns.

[Shiela2017]

Julie8008 yes loose them in your neighbours garden.... 😤

[Julie8008]

Nerf gun are great fun and boys love them, can't see the problem. Just get them and stop worrying. As other have said they will have lost all the form darts/discs very quickly.

[blackteasplease]

Are cheaper brands of laser x good?

[Ttbb]

Don't get them, they're a bit common ok, the real reason is because the are annoying AF. Also, I think that your fear is pretty reasonable.

[elQuintoConyo]

Sil bought my 5yo one last Christmas. 5yo shot the dog in the face point-blank range. Nerf gun mysteriously disappeared.

Fortunately it was a piece of crap knock-off and the bullets made a pathetic ffff-ut noise and barely shot 3 inches distance.

[RedPandaMama]

I lived in a student flat 3 years ago and all the boys had these. I now have a child and she is NEVER getting a Nerf gun. From walking out of my room constantly getting 'shot' to finding the horrible foam bullets everywhere, including in the toilet... Not a chance. Worst things ever invented!!

[KC225]

I am a tree hugging vegetarian and was opposed to any guns or weapons as toys but gay best friend bought my boy/girl twins whacking big nerf guns for their 6th birthday. Talk about eyes out on stalks. I asked him 'why?' And he replied 'kids, who is your favorite Uncle? They went nuts. Kids love Nerf guns. Simple as. Four years on we have a massive selection including the water guns the rebelle cross bow and archery set.

[Sparklingbrook]

Nerf Wars is the best fun ever and great exercise.

[titchy]

They're great fun - goggles for the youngest though, and maybe the other one too.

Re thinking your guns are toys - they're locked up. Either safely in which case they present no danger, or not safely in which case you have much bigger issues.

Their having nerf guns shouldn't change that.

[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.

[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.

[ChelleDawg2020]

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

[AalyaSecura]

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

[AalyaSecura]

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

[forceslover]

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

[QuopQuop]

Yeah they are great fun!!

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

[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!

[Oddmanout]

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

[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...

[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

[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.

[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!

[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.