TOY GUNS and behaviour

[kseaj]

Just wondered what you all thought of toy guns my dh wants to get ds1 one for christmas. I have always been against these types of toys, but ds has asked for one. Do you think that toys like this change their behaviour.

Never bought mine guns, I followed my Mums theory that if it is a gun it can never be anything else thus dictating the way you play with it. But guns made out of lego, stickle bricks or whatever can be something completly different 10mins later.

Have had mega blocks sets and playmobile with guns it it though.

I'm probably in the minority but I don't mind my DS playing with toy guns. He has a wide range of toys (including dolls) and I just don't worry about it.

I think it depends on what their associations with guns already are, IYSWIM. For example of course you would never give a toy gun to a child from a war-torn country; that would be sick.

But my dcs' associations with guns are so far from any concepts of real violence or threat - they associate guns with waterfights.

TBH I'm not sure how I'd feel about it either. I wouldn't want to encourage my dcs to play violent role play games, but on the other hand I know that if they're feeling beligerent they'll make anything (Barbie doll, wooden spoon, pipe cleaner) into a weapon. Ask your dh why he wants your dcs to have it, what kind of play he wants to encourage them to do...he might have some compelling reasons!

I assume that the type of toy gun your dh has in mind doesn't actually fire anything? Or could it be a type of target-practice toy?

no it does not fire anything. It started when we were at my sil house their ds had one and my ds was running all round their house with it so ds wanted one since then. That is the only reason dh wants to get him one because he knows that ds wants one.

My cousin was obsessed with toy guns as a boy and had an impressive collection. He is now in Basra keeping the peace (if you can call it that).

guns are fine, don't worry!, boys make guns with anything they can lay their hands on anyway

I had them as a child, and my children have got them. ds's play at being pirates and cowboys. IMO, better let them get it out of their system. I am not remotely tempted to solve my problems by shooting the people who are currently annoying me (having typed, that just dwelled on a satisfying picture for a microsecond or two...oops) Evidently more danger in MN threads and self analysis than toy guns.

I'm actually quite pleasantly surprised there aren't more "oh no I'd never give my child a gun" posts.