[tres-chic]

Hi all,

As the mother of two boisterous boys growing fast we are now entering the era of nerf guns, etc.

I'd generally consider myself anti-toy gun for a variety of reasons but have never been sure how far to go with it.

Is it something you're relaxed about or are you vehemently opposed to having no toys of this nature in the house?

Interested in everyone's views.

Thanks

http://www.news.com.au/national/adelaide-m...n-1226538565645

[Majeix]

I don't really like guns. I wouldn't encourage them and would possibly put them away although I can live with water guns. However, if my children were really really desperate for them I'd rather alow them to have it then make it an even bigger deal. My mother tried to ban guns for my brother and eventually relented and let a friend buy him a gun after months and months of 'lets go play guns' every single time he went over there.
I think some kids will play guns/make guns no matter what you do.

I have two little girls who are no interested though. One is into craft and animals and the other is obsessed with all things pink (I hate pink...).

This post has been edited by Majeix: 17/12/2012, 08:49 PM

[Broxie]

We love a good nerf gun war in this house. We also like water pistols, and have played the odd shooting game on wii or Xbox kinect.

[luke's mummu]

My DS got toy gun (complete with bullets) from a friend for his 6th birthday and we threw it away as soon as possible.
He has enough problems with violence and lack of self-control without practicing more.
He has asked Santa for a water-pistol for Christmas, and we have bought it, only for pool/outdoor use. They look like fun but I guess the only difference is they don't have bullets.

[SeaPrincess]

I think some kids will play guns/make guns no matter what you do.

I once asked my mum why I wasn't allowed a Barbie but she relented on the guns and she said that we would find gun-shaped sticks and build them out of Lego so it seemed kind of pointless banning them.

[HollyOllyOxenfre...]

DS is too young for it to be an issue yet, but DH and I have discussed it and are not fans of toy guns. I don't have a major issue with water pistols and nerf guns, but toy guns that look like "real" guns will not be ok with us.

I think it's also about the context in which they're used. I think games with nerf guns or water pistols where you get each other is fine, but running around with guns going bang bang you're dead would not be ok with me.

[nothing123]

I think it's also about the context in which they're used. I think games with nerf guns or water pistols where you get each other is fine, but running around with guns going bang bang you're dead would not be ok with me.

What's the difference between a toy gun and a Nerf Gun or a Water Pistol? Just a question

You think kids don't run around with Nerf guns shooting bullets and say "you're dead"?

[Mama8]

i banned guns with my first 2 boys and they started playing wth sticks as guns so we relented and let them ahve water pistols

[FiveAus]

My boys are 28 and 27. They were not allowed any toy guns of any description. It didn't make guns any more attractive, neither of them have ever had any interest in them at all.
They played with hoses and water bombs, they pelted each other with Nerf balls. They didn't miss out on imaginative play because I banned guns.

[Excentrique]

I hate guns, however I do let my son play with toy ones. Just nerf ones which have soft bullets. I wouldn't allow the sort that shoot balls and actually hurt.

A lot of boys are naturally into wrestling, fighting baddies, etc. Doesn't mean they are going to grow up to a be a criminal.