I hate guns. I am aware that some people need to use them (police, military etc.). But I don't want to have them around me.

Regarding toy guns. I don't like them. I won't buy them. But I am aware that I can't completely control my children. well, I can while they're very little, but there comes a point when they are exposed to these things. So I think talking about it is the best thing to do.

I don't believe that toy guns are the root of all evil, either. We all played with them when I was little and they didn't make us violent people at all. I agree that cowboys and Indians is a pretty racist game. But it can also be an opportunity to teach them history. I remember always wanting to be an Indian. We didn't necessarily shoot the Indians.

Water guns to me are just a certan type of toy guns. But I do remember having lots of fun with them as kids. I have bought DD some toy noodle blasters. To me they are not like guns at all. To me, playing with them is not violent at all. It's no different than splashing water at each other.

Not sure if I made any sense...

For what it's worth, I also have issues with some girl type "toys". I would not let my DD paint her finger and toe nails (if she wants to do it with markers, that's fine. But she'll need to be well into her teens until I let her do it for real).