Toy gun in the park

[Applesandbananaz]

I was in the play park today with my two pre-school aged children when 2 older boys came in with a toy gun. I am not sure what type it was, but it ran out of ammunition after around 20 minutes of play. (I am guessing a BB type but I'm no expert)

They looked to be primary aged (but were there without their parents) and were engaged in a game of hiding around the play park and then shooting at each other, until the pellets ran out.

AIBU to have felt very uncomfortable? When I left, I spoke to one of the boys and asked him not to bring a gun to the park again as it wasn't appropriate with small children about. Did I do the right thing? I feel quite disturbed by it and am not sure if I should have intervened sooner, or am I just overreacting because of the events over the summer?

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

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.

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.

Now thats a memory unlocked!

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.

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

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

Yup, they are still a thing 😂

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

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?

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