Kids and toy guns

[Early Kids]

I'm curious as to how your kids play with guns? I'm a little concerned over DS2 and how he plays with guns.


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[feeb]

I don't let my kids have toy guns, they dont even have water pistols, I know over time this might need to change but currently I do not feel the need for them to have them, guns scare hell out of me and dont think they need to play with toy ones.

[Calluna]

Oops. Learn to read H.

Sorry EK.

[Charlotte91]

We were never allowed toy guns, and there will be NO toy guns in my household.
No kind of weapon. I see it as unnecessary.

That's my opinion.

[Ginger]

yeah, i don't think thats what she was actually asking.
anyway....what are you exactly concerned about? that he shoots at people with them?

[Traveller]

All mine have played with toy guns. Before they had toy guns they would use sticks to imitate guns so I figured I would let them get it out their system. They have moved onto light sabers now.

[Zee]

I dont allow my kids to play with them at all, I don't see the need for them to play with stuff like that. I'm a terrible mum lol.

[krysalyss]

DS plays with guns. We don't buy them for him and so he makes them with his fingers and then shoots everyone. As people in my line of work actually do use guns I have tried to redirect him a little by talking about how a wildlife vet will use a gun with medicine (tranquilliser). He doesn't watch violent shows (we don't even own a tv) but his friends tell him about Ben Ten and spiderman and things like that. It isn't too big a deal, he generally prefers kung fu since seeing that movie but he did do it today, and I strongly discourage him not to do it although have to be careful as he is a pretty contrary kid. His interest has definitely waned though so I am not overly concerned.

[Early Kids]

Thanks.

DS2 aims, lines up and takes the time to shoot people, things... Like he's actually hunting them. It's quite concerning! I just wanted to know if this is a normal behaviour for an almost 3yo??? Or should I look in to it more???


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[Early Kids]

I dont allow my kids to play with them at all, I don't see the need for them to play with stuff like that. I'm a terrible mum lol.

No, not a terrible mum!! Everyone has reasons for doing and not doing things.


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[Beach Mama]

Would he have seen people doing that somewhere?? Docos? TV shows? Other kids? etc. If so, it simply sounds like modelling and imitation to me. If he has seen it somewhere that sounds like normal imitation. Kids copy everything and anything we do and say and if he has seen it somewhere then if you have guns around, it would seem natural for him to model it with them? That is JMO of course, I might be way off what is considered normal at that age, my kids don't have any here so I am not talking from experience but I know mine have come home from creche role playing and talking about locking up people in jails etc. for a while which again was imitation from what they had seen and been doing there.

[leesha]

My DS is 3.5 and he got his first toy gun at christmas time. I had decided that we personaly will not buy them but it's hard if someone else gives it to them. He actually copies Andy from Toy Story as he dresses up and plays Cow boys alot.

I have taught him to shoot at objects and not people, he is never allowed to aim the gun at a person. I don't like the idea of toy guns but if handled correctly I don't think they will harm them.

[Kazzo]

my girls would not even know what a gun is. I wont ever let them play with them though. DD1 picked up her cousins once (in was a toy rifle) and tried to sweep the floor with it.
I think somehow your DS has learnt about guns and is just mimicking what he sees. I don't think it is any different to my DD1 constantly seeing Angelina ballerina dance and she tries to copy. It is just something your DS has seen liked the look of and wanted to do.

[Early Kids]

He's just so precise with it that it seems more than mimicking? Maybe I am looking at it too much. I do try and turn his attention to other things but he's fascinated.

Thanks for the replies.


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[~ Mylitta ~]

We have a pretty strict "no weapons" rule in our house. So no toy guns or knives or anything like that. My littlies wouldn't even know what they are, but my two older step sons (12 and almost 15) obviously do and at times have wanted things like nerf guns. We tell them that they are allowed to have them as long as they are kept at their mum's house, lol.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

DS picked this up from other children - we don't play with guns. Then DH started to play 18 rated shooting games when DS was playing in the same room, so I can't really just blame other children any more. DS and I discussed that guns can hurt people and hurting people isn't a kind thing to do. So after a little while, he realised I stopped playing if he started using something as a gun, we talked about that I don't like being hurt, he has stopped. With me, at any rate.

I have no problem with toy swords or toy guns. Just so long as they are used responsibly and not to hurt others. Just to playfight with agreed rules of conduct.

[courts&munchkins]

We have one gun in the house that a friend bought my 4 year old. I was always no gun, no gun but honestly my boys will pick up a matchbox car and pretend to shoot with that. I think they picked up the whole shooting thing from my 10 year old brother. I tell them we never, not even in play point guns at people, sometimes they listen to that, sometimes not.

[Arcadia]

Perhaps you could redirect him away from pointing it at people? Or perhaps get him a water pistol and see if he can knock objects off a post with water? Basically try and redirect his attention away from shooting people: I think kids will play with guns/act out playing guns but you can help direct the play.

Dd is three and would have no clue what a weapon is and I hope to keep it that way!