Toy guns and your kids

Do toy cars make us bad drivers? I know I had smash up derbys with all my Johny lightnings and matchboxes.

Squirt guns I allow. Toy guns are OK, but safe handling rules apply. There are a couple in the house--old junkers. I have some roll caps for them, too. They are kept put--not in a toy box.

I had toy guns as a kid, but I take a dimmer view of them now. I would much rather that my kids not tollerate the unsafe handling of anything gun-like in themselves or any playmates. I shudder at the thought of some kid 'finding' a gun and treating it like he handles his toys. If he handles his toys like the real thing, a found gun is (horrid thought) less of a risk.

Neo-Luddite - That's EXACTLY what I'm saying. I have no problem with guns of ANY type, I just know how kids are. I was taught basic (VERY basic) gun safety as a kid, but what did I do the very INSTANT I was away from adult supervision? Act like an idiot with those same toy guns, even though I knew better. I have no problem with my kids having toy squirt or capguns, or BB guns and the real ones. I do have an issue with what can happen when a child decides to "forget" the rules for a second in the heat of play-battle, and starts forming bad habits, or possibly hurting someone.

Ill admit to playing with toy guns. Nowadays, I heed the advice I was given on safety here, even if it's an Airsoft gun (as all of mine are).

I used to have a few that made an clicking "machinegun" noise when you pulled the trigger. I had a M712 Mauser, a M3 Grease Gun, and... A KG-9 with suppressor (that broke off).

I have an old Parris double flintlock from Disney (before they went anti, IIRC) on my shelf next to an old lava lamp. Sadly, the second hammer doesn't stay cocked any more, and I'd rather not take it apart.

My offspring will definitely have toy guns. But no projectiles or caps for them (besides water maybe ). Totally unnecessary risks for the eyes and ears, and besides it's so much more fun to make all the noise oneself... no pointing at people who aren't part of their play, and consideration for anyone who doesn't like to see that kind of games are the rules.

If any traces of responsibility and concentration start to show, they will get started on BB guns for real target practice. Those come out of the safe and get right back there afterwards, and all the four rules apply. Supervision will be reduced over time.

Firearms can wait until later, if the interest prevails. I would like to be able to develop a family hobby there... we'll see. But I have absolutely no problem about "habits" developing on toy guns.

Let the kid have a toy gun!!!

I had toy guns and my kids had toy guns and still do ..and they know the difference between a toy gun which can be used for cops and robbers and a real gun which is handled under supervision. Kids learn what we teach. When my son was 6 and had first bb gun i saw him place end of barrel on his foot, I took the gun for two weeks and explained the dangers of doing this with any gun. Teach them but let them play. whats the difference if they use a stick as a gun or use a toy gun as a toy gun. Give him the toy!!

beatnik wrote:

Only one daughter yet, but she's getting the clear separation between what's a toy and what ain't. She'll have access to toy guys - she'll also have her own suit of armor and go full contact with me (I'm another kind of dork as well).

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A RennNerd? That sounds awesome -- where does one get child-sized armor, in case I can afford some for my niece before she's too old to want it any more?

timothy

The more I hear about SCA and related groups, the more I want to hang out and drink mead and wear armor and smash the crap out of other people wearing armor.

Good thing one of the guys who works at the range I shoot at is an SCA'er!

Opinions differ greatly on what constitutes "age appropriate" play involving toy guns. To get into that will only start rather heated debates. So, I'll leave that part alone. I have my own opinions, but I'll keep them to myself.

Back in the 50's, we played "guns" or "army" around the neighborhood or at the city park. I had a water pistol that was a decent replica of a Luger. We also had plastic tommy guns, burp guns, and, even, a .30 cal MG on a tripod that had a recoiling barrel and sound effects.

It was also a time when kids didn't shoot up the school and armed thugs didn't roam the streets.

If you do let your kids play with toy guns, I would emphasize similar safety rules. In other words, "Don't ever point a toy gun at anyone who isn't playing 'guns' with you." Etc., etc. Especially when they are a little older, don't let them take any realistic looking gun out and about.

K

cap guns, nerf guns, and water guns are a birthright!
A lot of my friends' parents wouldnt allow them to have any sort of toy weapons as kids. I think being deprived of such things as a child instills an irrational fear of the real ones and shapes the child into an anti. but thats just my opinion.
give him a cap gun or a water pistol. he'll have lots of fun with either.

Toy guns? We don't need no stinkin toy guns! (we have enough)



If I didn't get my kid toy guns, he'd make his own. Oh wait, he already did!




I was at a gunshow and bought my 7-yr old a cap gun. He was having a blast shooting it, playing cops/robbers with the crew from Pompano Pawn (great owners, even bout an SP-101 from them). Anyway as we were eating a snack outside, my son tried to play with someone at the table.

The ogre gave him a stern "don't point that gun at me", talk about mixed signals. One side a guy with tons of guns is playing with him, and then some doofus gets pissed at a kid with a cap gun.

Then the biddy next to him starts talking crap about how bad kids are and their kid would never do something like that (poor kid!). Took all my restraint to keep from verbally abusing both of them till I was blue in the face. We finished our snack leisurely, ignoring both of them, and sauntered off to shoot some more caps.

ALL YOU TOY GUN NAZI's - SHTFU!! Let kids be kids while they can.

I had toy guns as a kid, and so did all my friends. We played cops and robbers, army, etc, and shot them at each other all the time. What fun is it to shoot targets with a cap gun? My kids had toy guns, and none grew up to be murderers. However, a person does have to learn the difference between fantasy and reality. I think it's also simple good manners, and good sense, to teach your kids not to point their toy guns at people who aren't involved in the game.
I DO think that many on this board (myself included,) who have learned and internalized gun safety, can be just a bit uncomfortable watching kids play with toy guns. It just isn't... right. But it's important for everyone to learn that difference between fantasy and reality. Let the kids have their toy guns.
Marty

The ogre gave him a stern "don't point that gun at me", talk about mixed signals. One side a guy with tons of guns is playing with him, and then some doofus gets pissed at a kid with a cap gun.

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Real smart. You're at a place that has guns all over and you let your kid point a gun at someone. Is that what you are intending to teach your kid--that it's okay to point a gun at someone as long as it's a toy gun?

ALL YOU TOY GUN NAZI's - SHTFU!! Let kids be kids while they can.

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Unless you own this site, I don't think you should be telling anyone else to ****. The OP asked for opinions about kids and toy guns. People responded. Many have different views and made them known. That's what this site is for, I believe, exchanging information and ideas. You can openly disagree with someone, but you're out of line to suggest they shut up. Just my opinion.

K

We thought we might raise our son without toy guns and introduce him to the real thing at 4 or 5 yrs. At 28 months, he picked up a toilet brush and made gun noises. Oh well. Got him a toy gun and let him play with his friends, while still emphasizing the difference between toys and real guns. At 12 yrs., while chaperoning (refereeing?) at one of his friends paintball birthday parties, I noticed that before entering the playing field, he was the only kid in a group of 20 or so that had his finger in register and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction (up). I haven't had to worry about this guy; he's 22 now and a pretty fair IDPA shooter....

Toy guns are fun and were a big part of mine and all my friends lives as youngsters.

Are people actually telling their kids not to play "cops and robbers" or "coyboys and indians" with their toy guns because it would be irresponsible to point at another person?!?! That is too funny.

There are things you can over-think

SWMBO decided early-on that toy guns were not appropriate for our son. As other THR members have noted, the boy just started pointing other objects and making shooting noises. Many died when that bar of soap went off. When he was 5 we got assigned to an isolated place overseas, and his buds all played with toy guns. The Leadership relented on the issue, but since none were available we fashioned a crude one out of wood. It served its purpose then, but he never played with guns again in other venues. In the intervening 25 years he never wanted a BB gun or .22 and the only time we went shooting was when he bought us a day at a sporting clay range for my 60th.

The point is, sure you can teach gun safety to your kids when you introduce them to dangerous weapons, but I just don't believe their experience with toy guns has anything to do with the way they relate to firearms or anything else.

I remember with great fondness growing up with toy guns and what anticipation I had the Xmas I got my Daisy Red Ryder Carbine.I didn't shoot my eye out ,but did break a neighbors window. Ooh what a spanking I got.But nowadays you can't spank your kids so maybe todays kids can't be trusted with a popgun or cap pistol or even an air rifle. It saddens me that so many people have ruined the fun of growing up...

My son (whom I spank by the way) has TONS of toy guns. Hes always carrying a pistol tucked in his pants or pocket......and usually has a rifle with him as well. He has a few all metal rifles and shotguns from when I was a kid, besides the orange tip they are fairly realistic.

At first I was going to do the "dont point guns of ANY kind at anybody, ever" thing.....but that takes all the fun out of playing with toy guns......heck you cant rob a bank without point your pistola at someone.

We shoot BB guns and air rifles in the backyard, he knows the difference and we have NO problems.

We watch Eddie Eagle and he gets tested - he has no problems.

Its a non-issue really.....toy guns ARENT real guns and in my house wont be treated as so. I give my kids plenty of face time with REAL guns so they can tell the difference and they know if there is ANY doubt to check. If they find a toy gun that isnt theirs they have even brought it to me to have it checked over first.

Ive also bought each of my kids their own .22 rifle - quite a bit premature but I do get them out and let them handle them occasionally (I would post the pic of my daughter but Im sure everyones seen it before). Based on attention span with the BB guns my boy is a LONG ways (hes 5 now) from shooting that .22 - know your kids and know their limits.

Rustynuts! I wanna come play at your house

I didn't just play with toy guns as a kid I had a toy gun arsenal. I also read boys life, field and stream, and guns and ammo. So at a very young age I knew that although my cast metal cap gun looked and felt just like a real one it wasn't any real danger. Yet the M-16 I wanted I couldn't have for the same reason I had Matchbox cars and no real Ferrari. Think I was 9 or 10 the first time my dad and I sat down with a .38 snub nose revolver and talked about firearm safety. I now am that uncle that gets toy guns for his nieces and nephews. Just this last sunday I gave the same side by side nerf shotgun I see on Rustynuts couch besides the sword in the black scabbard to my nephew. To each his own as I beleive raising a child is full of important personal individual decisions. As for me I have none of my own so I get to just keep being that cool uncle that rides a motorcycle and keeps showing up with toy guns.

I love my toy guns and I had enough brains to know which to play with and which to leave alone.

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+1 You wouldn't not give your kid a toy car for fear he will pick up bad driving habits, would you? Let a kid be a kid, they already grow up too fast, we don't need to burden them with stuff like not playing with toys so they don't pick up bad habits.

There was piece on dateline a couple of years ago in which they placed a deactivated gun in a day care place to see how the kids would react (with everybody's permission of course). Well, there was a woman on there who was absolutely shocked that he son picked up the gun and pulled the trigger , pretending to shoot other kids. She was a crazy anti-gun person who said that she did not let her son play with toy guns (because they would make him dangerous) and told that "guns are evil". My point is that playing or not playing with toys is not the problem, it is the parenting that matters most and no amount of toy banning can makeup for that.

Are people actually telling their kids not to play "cops and robbers" or "coyboys and indians" with their toy guns because it would be irresponsible to point at another person?!?! That is too funny.

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Sadly, yes. My brother-in law tells his kids not to point toy guns at each other. It is kind of weird to see, the kids are like 4-5 and they are being lectured about not playing with a toy gun like it is a toy. It is funny and kind of disturbing at the same time.

And I often do put people in the sights so my paintball gun that are participating one day, then walk into my woods with a shotgun the next .... if they can't tell the difference they should not have any type of gun. Toy or not.

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(emphasis mine)

By this logic, because I wouldn't trust my 6 year-old son with a loaded shotgun, he shouldn't have a cap gun, either.

Which proves my point. Young shooters need to have limits. My limit is that a 14 year-old who spends all day Friday putting his friends in the crosshairs of his paintball gun, shouldn't head off into the woods carrying a 12 guage on Saturday.

An experienced adult hunter, with maturity and discipline, can be expected to do things a teenager can't. Just as a 14 year-old can do things a 6 year-old can't.

My 7 year old daughter has never really showed an interest in toy guns or real ones for that matter. I've taken her hunting/shooting twice and she's enjoyed firing a .22 both times, but as far as actually seeking it out she doesn't.

My 2 year old son, on the other hand, is very interested in guns. If I sit down to clean one he's right beside me. At first he was starting to try to touch and I would say "No" or at times actually have to pop his hand to stop him, now I just have to tell him to "go get yours". Yep he's got a little cowboy plastic sixgun and plastic pump shotgun. He'll sit beside me with his in his lap and let me clean mine in peace.

Having said all that I am hypervigilant about keeping my guns not in my direct control (in a holster or on the cleaning mat disassembled in front of me) out of his reach.

Nerf is your friend.

Between the garish colours, spacey styling and harmless (unless they inhale them) foam darts/balls/rockets they should have no problem potting each other OR telling the toys from the real thing.

Of course when I was a kid, I used to sneak my Daisy out of the house with all the other neighbourhood kids to play war and cowboys..... It's a lot harder to deny being hit if you just raised Cain about getting shot in the rump!