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.

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.

Nerf Wars is the best fun ever and great exercise.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

Are cheaper brands of laser x good?

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.

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

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

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?