https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:15:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2038050 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 16:43:42 +0000 tayzzmom 2038050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As far as guns go, I never let my kids play with guns of any kind, not even Nerf or water guns. I hate all guns, and feel that no one but the police should carry them, which I know probably puts me in the minority. I know they made finger guns or stick guns, but they knew how Mom felt about guns and why. My sister has always thought I was crazy about it, but then, she's always hated my kids' names, and told me so! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2037125 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:17:25 +0000 artsyfartsy 2037125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Water guns and nerf guns, no biggie. But my husband and I have discussed it and we won't do any realistic toy guns. im really not worked up about it...I had toy guns and I knew the difference between them and my dads gun. </p> <p>DH is a hunter and gun handler. We have guns in our home (secured). DH says he would just rather not have toy guns so our kids will never see them as play things.. DH's dad always did the same with him. Like I said, I'm not worked up about it but Im definitely happy to agree with DH's stance.</p> <p>When you deal with guns often and your children will probably grow to go hunting with dad, then there's no room to not take guns seriously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2037044 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 08:16:03 +0000 Mamaof2 2037044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: DS has a few nerf guns and the little darts have suction cups on them so he likes to try to hit the bullseye on a target we have - or he will shoot at the front door. He also likes to set up toys and knock them over (kinda like that tin can pyramid) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2037005 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 07:24:32 +0000 looch 2037005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: yes, that's what I wonder as well...what is the play that occurs with guns? I was thinking maybe target practice? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036982 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 06:24:21 +0000 Lindsay05 2036982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes definitely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036946 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 04:00:57 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2036946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Squirt guns and nerf guns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036899 Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:20:40 +0000 PinkElephant 2036899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was about to say no, no gun toys...then I realized we already have a "bubble gun" that blows bubbles when you pull a trigger, but it looks more like a hair dryer but still - it didn't even occur to me that this was in some sense was toy gun until I read Irene's post!</p> <p>I'm fine with water squirter/bubble toys as long as they aren't being used violently. Although for little kids I'd rather have plastic fish that squirt water or something cute like that. I really don't like war/gun play though. It just makes me uncomfortable, so I'll discourage it until my kids are old enough to talk about why I think it's not a joking matter.</p> <p>I do agree learning gun safety is important - we will probably utilze relatives who (safely) keep guns on a farm property to help us educate the girls on this topic when they are older. I really like the "tell a grown up" rule done if you have mentioned. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036884 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 23:33:41 +0000 owlteach 2036884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@NeekieRose: Same here. However I think I will really enforce some of the rules posted above, especially taking the toy away when there are threats of violence, no questions asked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036849 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:43:34 +0000 BoogieBea 2036849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually used to love playing with toys guns when I was little. I pretended I was a sheriff or something and had two toy guns in my pant pockets all the time. I don't recall why I was so into them. But with my kids, they have never played with any type of toy gun. Since starting school, my son has started to pretend shoot with random things like straws or anything that has a similar shape. He'll make "guns" with his lego. I haven't deterred him from playing pretend because there doesn't seem to be any malicious intent in his play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036846 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:40:57 +0000 irene 2036846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do.... but sometimes I am also not as sensitive as I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Citizens can not own guns and it has never been a big deal playing with guns when were were kids. It is just not a big deal because no one owns a gun except the police. So when I saw a bubble gun in a store (that thing doesn't look like a realistic gun, more like a water pistol with colorful and transparent plastic, flashing lights and all), I got excited and bought it immediately.... only to feel a bit weird when I took LO to the park -- he was shooting bubbles and kids were going crazy and wanted to come over and play. There I was like oh crap I don't know if I may offend anyone. All the parents *seem* to be cool though although I do not know for sure. Thinking more about it 2 or 3 parents did announce they are leaving soon after we've been shooting bubbles for not too long lol. Oops I hope it is not because of our bubble gun. But the remaining are cool. There was a father who was interested in my bubble gun and was asking me oh where did you buy this? I was like oh I forgot (it was a novelty store) maybe you can google "bubble..... machine"? And we just never really acknowledge that that "machine" is actually more like a gun lol</p> <p>ETA: As long as we live in the US I don't think I would ever let him play with a realistic toy gun though. To be very honest, I think it is a bit silly (eg. getting detention at school because a student only drew a gun or brought a gun shaped cookie...etc)... but that's the norm nowadays unfortunately... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036834 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:21:56 +0000 simplyfelicity 2036834@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know...my instinct is to say "no" to all guns but DH insists they are fine if the guns are bright super soakers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036800 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:57:30 +0000 Ra 2036800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only bright, colorful, unrealistic looking water guns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036791 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:52:18 +0000 shopaholic 2036791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Great rules!</p> <p>@littlejoy: Good story and rule taught! Will definitely have to remember that!</p> <p>Honestly, I hadn't really given this very important topic any thought yet. (DD is not even 2). I'm personally very very uncomfortable at the thought of any guns in the house or any play time with even fake guns. Water guns squirters are okay, but even Nerf stuff still seems to aim to hurt someone else? </p> <p>I like all the pp rules on how kids should NOT play with the toy guns, but I might be clueless because I've never played with guns. WHAT exactly do they do when they "imaginatively play" with fake guns? If they are not pointing them at each other, at anything, saying "I shoot you", etc? What are they doing/playing? I remember very clearly being with a GF on a trip once, her brother and his friend had BB guns and they chased us around actually shooting them. I got hit in the head - thankfully no scarring, but I can't ever imagine even letting my child have one. I don't quite understand the "imaginative play" part of this? Honestly curious, not trying to bash anyone who is okay with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns/page/2#post-2036763 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:38:18 +0000 Tanjowen 2036763@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have mixed feelings on this, because I I feel that it's not that big of a deal. I was taught to operate a gun at a young age and if you want a gun, learn how to properly handle it store it, and realize there is a proper time and place for them (and that is NOT Walmart, ugh). </p> <p>I am confused on how to approach it with LO though because times have changed and he can get suspended from school for even drawing a gun. I have no issues with him learning how to handle one as he gets older and want him to! I work in the legal system and hate the cases I get where teenagers are being stupid with guns and something happens. I want him to at least know how to properly respect one if nothing else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036744 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:26:16 +0000 coopsmama 2036744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm fine with water guns and nerf guns provided they aren't used to shoot at anyone. I don't want my kids playing with realistic toy guns, however. My husband is a real gun owner and hunter and we think that guns need to be treated with the upmost respect and responsibility and having toy guns just lying around doesn't jive with us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036743 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:25:51 +0000 MsMini 2036743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We allow S to play with toy guns using rules similar to what was mentioned above (no pointing guns at people, no shooting yourself, no threatening with guns, anger + guns don't mix). When he is older we will teach him about real guns and the rules around them. I honestly think that some gun play with strong boundaries is safer in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036737 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:23:25 +0000 Boogs 2036737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No guns of any kind around here so far, not even "water squirters" as we like to call them. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036730 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:18:56 +0000 lilteacherbee 2036730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I tend to agree with you. I'm not sure how to handle it once he gets older, living in a small, southern town where guns are very common.</p> <p>As a pre-k teacher, it is VERY hard to stop kids from playing guns at school, especially when they are allowed to do so at home. I've seen them make guns out of so many different types of toys. I've had more than one child in my class say "My daddy's gonna shoot you like this!" to another child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036715 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 21:10:54 +0000 matador84 2036715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not right now...too little. It's hard because society is so different than when my brothers and I were kids. They had rubber band guns, cap guns, plastic guns with the orange cap on the end. It was all fun and games. I don't see an issue with it as long as there are rules in place for playing with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036609 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 20:15:41 +0000 ShootingStar 2036609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No guns. </p> <p>@bluestriped bee: No, that kind of behavior is unacceptable to me. Guns are not toys and pretending to shoot someone or to hold a gun to someone's face is not funny or a game to me. I have a boy and there will be no "boys will be boys" type of excuses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036573 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:54:07 +0000 sarac 2036573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. I believe that children need the opportunity to play and use their imaginations however they choose, and playing with guns is a part of that. That being said, I won't keep any fake guns around my house, most likely. </p> <p>Water guns? Absolutely. That's just good fun. And, I'm still scarred from being raised by the type of 70s liberals who thought that playing with guns or war or anything 'violent' was just about the worst thing a child could do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036526 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:32:21 +0000 BSB 2036526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, pretend guns that you make with your finger. Is that an exception to the rule? Can they pretend to shoot someone or aim it at someone's face? I'm sure it could be hard enforcing the no guns at face rule with a pretend (finger) gun. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036521 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:28:44 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2036521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't want guns at all, but DH advocated strongly, saying first that a boy will turn any item into a gun (true), and that he enjoyed playing guns with his brother. His mom bought J a nerf gun and I guess that's fine, I don't mind water guns either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036441 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:47:34 +0000 travelgirl1 2036441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only water guns will be allowed in our house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036350 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 18:00:41 +0000 twodoghouse 2036350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have very strong opinions about guns and live in a city that is unfortunately plagued by gun violence. I'm hoping that will change as they get older. Anyway, I'm in the no toy gun or toys that resemble guns (including water guns) camp. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036319 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:33:54 +0000 meredithNYC 2036319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: yikes!</p> <p>Water guns I would be ok with, though we don't own any. My LO is only 2.5, so she tends to use more benign looking squirters in the tub and pool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036306 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:27:37 +0000 Mama Bird 2036306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Also struggling with this, and how to walk that line! I really hope DS will never be in that situation, but I realize that if I raise him to be always nice and non violent, one day he might need to defend himself or someone else, and he won't be able or willing to. This is not about guns specifically, but more about being threatened with any kind of violence and how to respond... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036244 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:56:45 +0000 pui 2036244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think I've ever seen a realistic looking toy gun that wasn't from many years ago. Last time I bought a nerf gun (which was recently, birthday gift for DH lol) at Toys R Us, all the toy guns were bright and colourful. I'd be fine with letting my child(ren) play with water or nerf guns that are very obviously toys.</p> <p>IMO anything that is anywhere close to being a real gun (like say a BB gun) should be called a tool, not a toy and shouldn't resemble a toy at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036232 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:53:30 +0000 LuLu Mom 2036232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She's 2 and has water guns, and the rule is "you don't point them at people, pets, or yourself or it is automatically taken away." </p> <p>Nerf guns I'm fine with, we will never have a realistic toy gun. We learn gun safety very early in our family (avid hunters) so LO will get the rules from the get go. I grew up around guns, and I knew better than to EVER touch them without my dad present. I even got a BB Gun as a gift when I was like 10, and I knew the rules, and I was a little shit ;) So I know it's possible to instill how dangerous guns can be when mishandled. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-let-your-los-play-with-toy-guns#post-2036195 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:41:10 +0000 Maysprout 2036195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unrealistic ones are fine. We went to a friends kids birthday party and I heard my LO (she'd just turned 3) crying and saying no! No! in a panicked voice so I walked into the room. A little boy was pointing and shoving a realish looking gun at her telling her he was going to kill her. I found it extremely disturbing and we've had several conversations about guns since then. </p>