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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Why so much hate against toy guns?
I seriously don't understand.
I can't believe that some mothers may believe that playing with guns will lead to violent tendencies and further need to play with real guns later and thereby making murders, gangsters, criminals, sociopaths, etc
So what am I missing here?
Did none of you EVER play with guns as kids? ever, never, not once, not single time want to, not touch one, not think of it?
Does every person you know who played with one fit some sort of profile that you want to avoid with your own children?
Not trying to start drama. I want to see what the other side sees because although I do not think I'll agree, I think its important to understand since I'll be the gun friendly house on the block. I need to be able to explain to myself why other mothers may see what I'm doing as 'wrong' or evil or whatever it may be.
TIA
ETA: lets rephrase, not wrong or evil but not for them.
I am not one to try to fit in if I don't see the logic behind it, but I do like to hear the other side of the story
You can always learn if people are willing to educate or share what their thinking is.
Make sense?
Message edited 1/18/2011 9:46:23 PM.
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Posted 1/18/11 9:44 PM  |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
For me, it feels like a disconnect to teach my kids that it's not nice to hit, kick, etc while playing and then give them a toy that emulates violent behavior.
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| Posted 1/18/11 9:56 PM |
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mrskmurphy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/09 688 total posts
Name:
Kate
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Hmm...I can only think that some parents just don't like the idea of "play" killing. I mean, boys will be boys and play rough and fake kill each other, but I know some parents don't feel the need to introduce an actual "gun" into the fun and games.
To each his own.
And for those who do NOT want to understand both sides of an argument (as this poster intelligently does) and just want to argue over every innane decision involving raising a child? Everyone should do what they want to do and quit projecting opinions onto others. I honestly don't care what anyone else does/thinks about anything...I do what I feel is right and that's that.
Save the drama for your mama 
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:01 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by mrskmurphy
And for those who do NOT want to understand both sides of an argument (as this poster intelligently does) and just want to argue over every innane decision involving raising a child? Everyone should do what they want to do and quit projecting opinions onto others. I honestly don't care what anyone else does/thinks about anything...I do what I feel is right and that's that.
Save the drama for your mama
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:03 PM |
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mommyIam
Member since 7/09 9209 total posts
Name:
Shana
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by mrskmurphy
And for those who do NOT want to understand both sides of an argument (as this poster intelligently does) and just want to argue over every innane decision involving raising a child? Everyone should do what they want to do and quit projecting opinions onto others. I honestly don't care what anyone else does/thinks about anything...I do what I feel is right and that's that.
Save the drama for your mama
aww, and I was staying up to watch the drama! oh well, back to TV 
eta: I think there is a huge difference between fantasy violence and real violence. I am the most docile, left wing, person I know. I support all gun regulations and think there should be more. But I used to be hard core Call of Duty player, and I itch to get back into it the way some women itch to have more babies.
I think children can be taught and can understand the difference between fantasy and reality. And I think its healthy to have an honest discussions about the fantasy.
I'm thinking we should just move to your block Veronica, so I don't have to explain myself. The first person you'll explain it to is DH. He has a real problem with it and I honestly don't get it.
Message edited 1/18/2011 10:19:07 PM.
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:05 PM |
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OrganicMama
So in love with my little man!
Member since 6/08 5172 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
I see more of a problem with violent video games than play guns. I think there's much more of a disconnect when you're actually killing someone on the screen where it's very graphic, versus pretend play. We played with toy guns when we were little, and I got a BB gun for my 7th birthday. We had guns all around our house when I was growing up (my dad hunts), and never in a million years would myself or anyone in my family pick up a gun to use it for anything other than hunting.
Sorry to go off on a tangent.
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:08 PM |
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LoveyQ
Stalkers, get a life.
Member since 11/07 12820 total posts
Name:
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
I think children these days will be exposed to violence in so many ways outside of the home. I want to limit it inside my home. This means I won't let violent video games to be played, or violent movies around DS. I will not buy him toy guns (water guns will be ok for summer time) and would not like it if people got him toy guns.
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:11 PM |
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My2Girlz11
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/11 785 total posts
Name:
Corrie
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
I do not mind toy guns. My nephew has a toy nerf gun that my daughters love.
I wonder if all the stigma comes from schools banning anything that even resembles a gun?
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:16 PM |
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mommyIam
Member since 7/09 9209 total posts
Name:
Shana
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by OrganicMama
I see more of a problem with violent video games than play guns. I think there's much more of a disconnect when you're actually killing someone on the screen where it's very graphic, versus pretend play. We played with toy guns when we were little, and I got a BB gun for my 7th birthday. We had guns all around our house when I was growing up (my dad hunts), and never in a million years would myself or anyone in my family pick up a gun to use it for anything other than hunting.
Sorry to go off on a tangent.
just curious, cause I didn't know what hunting was till I was in high school... seriously, I grew up very urban 
What where you killing when you played with toy guns? And if you were killing each other, then how is it you didn't associate the hunting gun cold be used to kill a person?
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:21 PM |
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wingsofsong
My 3 little loves <3<3<3
Member since 1/09 7395 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by LoveyQ
I think children these days will be exposed to violence in so many ways outside of the home. I want to limit it inside my home. This means I won't let violent video games to be played, or violent movies around DS. I will not buy him toy guns (water guns will be ok for summer time) and would not like it if people got him toy guns.
I feel exactly the same way. I will never allow my children to play with guns, because I never want them to learn that there is anything funny or entertaining about killing. Guns kill. Period. That is their sole purpose. To me, that's not a game. I can honestly say that I never played with guns as a kid, nor did any of my 4 siblings. Of course I do not think that every child who touches a toy gun even once will become a murderous psychopath, because that's a ridiculous thing to think. But I absolutely believe that overexposure to "killing games" and violence and toy guns and play killing can desensitize children to the seriousness of it all. And, in some cases, can absolutely contribute to a violent outlook later in life. I never want my children to learn that, and while I realize I only have so much control over it, I will do everything in my power to keep them from it. That is our responsibility to them as their parents (meaning my husband and me).
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:35 PM |
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mlny
blessed <3
Member since 10/09 2113 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by wingsofsong
I feel exactly the same way. I will never allow my children to play with guns, because I never want them to learn that there is anything funny or entertaining about killing. Guns kill. Period. That is their sole purpose. To me, that's not a game. I can honestly say that I never played with guns as a kid, nor did any of my 4 siblings. Of course I do not think that every child who touches a toy gun even once will become a murderous psychopath, because that's a ridiculous thing to think. But I absolutely believe that overexposure to "killing games" and violence and toy guns and play killing can desensitize children to the seriousness of it all. And, in some cases, can absolutely contribute to a violent outlook later in life. I never want my children to learn that, and while I realize I only have so much control over it, I will do everything in my power to keep them from it. That is our responsibility to them as their parents (meaning my husband and me).
i 100% agree
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| Posted 1/18/11 10:45 PM |
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
There have been several instances in which toy guns were mistaken for real guns. I don't need to add more of them to circulation. There were toy guns around when I was a kid but I do not see where I would have missed much without them. Did I turn out violent? No, not by a long shot. Did I need the toy guns? Not one bit. There are enough other things that I can buy for my kid. I'm actually not going to go out of my way to keep him from toy guns but I have no plans to buy any.
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| Posted 1/18/11 11:45 PM |
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Angel321
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Member since 4/08 15553 total posts
Name:
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
there is something that has stuck with me so strongly...
i think it was last season on Penn & Teller B.S. They had a video game violence episode. They had a kid who plays grand theft auto, dead space, all these first person shooter games, things you wouldn't let your kids play... he was like 12. he was a star student - fit in perfectly at school - was your average kid. He spoke very well about how he couldn't imagine how playing a video game can translate to real life...etc..
I truly don't remember who else they spoke to in this episode - but that kid stuck out.
At the end of the episode - they took that kid to a gun range to fire a gun for real. The screen went black and they said - we wanted to end this with the video of 'so & so' shooting the gun at the firing range, but his reaction to firing that real gun was so upsetting, out of respect for him, we will not show it. Suffice it to say, his reaction alone is proof enough of this argument.
it was a very surprising end to that episode and said so much....they normally end their show talking & acting like idiots, but to know how upset that poor kid got spoke volumes.
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| Posted 1/19/11 1:31 AM |
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skinny
3 boys and a princess!
Member since 11/08 8178 total posts
Name:
Momma
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
My DH hunts so I know that he will want to teach the boys about the responsible use of guns. I'm sure that my kids will have toy guns but they will definitely be educated about guns in general. I totally get why some parents don't want their kids to play w/ toy guns and I won't let the boys play w/ their toy guns when they are playing w/ other kids. Kids are bound to be curious about guns so I want to be sure that my boys are well educated about the potential dangers.
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| Posted 1/19/11 7:19 AM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Because guns are not toys...
Because toy guns have been mistaken for real guns and real guns have been played with as toys...
Because I didn't play with guns when I was growing up...
Because I am their mother and if I don't want my kids playing with guns, or swords, or sling shots, or catapults, etc then thats my prerogative...
Because my child may go to someone's gun friendly house and find a gun that may or may not be a toy.....
Because to me certain things shouldnt be made into toys for children. Like guns, knives, cigarettes, and crack pipes....
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| Posted 1/19/11 7:32 AM |
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Sorry, I just don't get it. Real guns kill people. I can't think of any reason why I'd want my kid to play with a toy version of what is often used as a murder weapon. There are plenty of other choices for toys out there.
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| Posted 1/19/11 7:50 AM |
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jprimrose
I love my little munchkins!
Member since 10/05 3939 total posts
Name:
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by hbugal
Because guns are not toys...
Because toy guns have been mistaken for real guns and real guns have been played with as toys...
Because I didn't play with guns when I was growing up...
Because I am their mother and if I don't want my kids playing with guns, or swords, or sling shots, or catapults, etc then thats my prerogative...
Because my child may go to someone's gun friendly house and find a gun that may or may not be a toy.....
Because to me certain things shouldnt be made into toys for children. Like guns, knives, cigarettes, and crack pipes....
ITA and want to add that especially when it comes to boys I feel that the toys geared towards them are just so violent. Our society immediately puts violent toys in their hands such as super heroes, transformers, guns, swords, etc. Where as we put dolls, and kitchens in girl's hands and teach them to be loving good mommies and wives. I do think later on in life boys tend to be more rough, and violent. Maybe they are not shooting and killing people, but there are many boys who get into fights, have bad tempers, hold their emotions in, etc. It would be nice if we could raise more gentle boys.
Now my DS has a kitchen, we gave him a doll. he has a doll house and he also has cars, trains, airplanes etc. He is only 3 and we have yet to expose him to superheroes. I don't know what the future holds and if he asks for them I guess I would give them to him. This weekend I went to a 5 year old costume party and 2 boys were dressed as super heroes and they started fighting like super heroes hitting and pretending they had weapons. You rarely see girls socialize like that.
I do not think guns definitely lead to little kids growing up shooting people, but they definitely show kids that violence is okay. Violence comes in many forms, yelling, hitting, kicking, and bad tempers which can come out in adulthood. Like I said before I just think in general boys are exposed to more aggressive and violent toys and it bothers me. I may not be able to keep my kids away from the super heroes, but play guns will never enter my house.
I think all of us make our own decisions and hope for the best. I might not give my kids guns, but I know may they will be exposed to violence in other ways so who knows. It is just not easy raising kids. Sorry I am babbling.
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| Posted 1/19/11 8:27 AM |
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chickiemom
LOVE my boys!!
Member since 10/09 1473 total posts
Name:
Leanne
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by skinny
My DH hunts so I know that he will want to teach the boys about the responsible use of guns. I'm sure that my kids will have toy guns but they will definitely be educated about guns in general. I totally get why some parents don't want their kids to play w/ toy guns and I won't let the boys play w/ their toy guns when they are playing w/ other kids. Kids are bound to be curious about guns so I want to be sure that my boys are well educated about the potential dangers.
I could have written this word for word..
I did tell my DH when ds is of age he can go with him but only after I fill his first 12 years of life to fall in love with the animals first.. that is my strategy.. 
DH LOVES hunt though and so it is a non winning battle..
As far as toy guns go, yes my ds will have small water guns and super soakers and i'll see if he even wants to play with other types. He may not even want to.. This is from a friend of mine on fb and I couldn't agree more.. "If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars drive drunk, and spoons make us fat! Hold the person accountable for their actions, not just the means they chose to utilize."
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| Posted 1/19/11 8:35 AM |
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Ian&EmmesMommy23
My family is complete!
Member since 11/08 12970 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by wingsofsong
Posted by LoveyQ
I think children these days will be exposed to violence in so many ways outside of the home. I want to limit it inside my home. This means I won't let violent video games to be played, or violent movies around DS. I will not buy him toy guns (water guns will be ok for summer time) and would not like it if people got him toy guns.
I feel exactly the same way. I will never allow my children to play with guns, because I never want them to learn that there is anything funny or entertaining about killing. Guns kill. Period. That is their sole purpose. To me, that's not a game. I can honestly say that I never played with guns as a kid, nor did any of my 4 siblings. Of course I do not think that every child who touches a toy gun even once will become a murderous psychopath, because that's a ridiculous thing to think. But I absolutely believe that overexposure to "killing games" and violence and toy guns and play killing can desensitize children to the seriousness of it all. And, in some cases, can absolutely contribute to a violent outlook later in life. I never want my children to learn that, and while I realize I only have so much control over it, I will do everything in my power to keep them from it. That is our responsibility to them as their parents (meaning my husband and me).
ITA 100%
i never played with toy guns as a kid (except nerf water guns) and i have no intention of letting DS play with toy guns. as an adult im against hunting (for sport) and im for stricter gun control. maybe thats because i wasnt exposed to guns as a kid, but i dont see the point to introduce a violent "toy" to a child.
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| Posted 1/19/11 8:40 AM |
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Jan1975
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Member since 8/09 3846 total posts
Name:
Sarah
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
I played with water pistols and I am not a serial killer. With that said I don't think I will actively go out and buy my children guns but it is hard now a days to shelter them from it. I don't think playing with guns in the old fashion way leads to bad behavior, however, I do not agree with violent video games depicting war and murder, that is wrong. IDK I am on the fence here. I totally see your point but at the same time I am not going to promote it. I think it is important to have an open dialogue and educate children about what guns do, they kill...but they also protect and put food on the table for some. This is a controversy that will go on and on and on and on....
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| Posted 1/19/11 8:42 AM |
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Ian&EmmesMommy23
My family is complete!
Member since 11/08 12970 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by jprimrose
Posted by hbugal
Because guns are not toys...
Because toy guns have been mistaken for real guns and real guns have been played with as toys...
Because I didn't play with guns when I was growing up...
Because I am their mother and if I don't want my kids playing with guns, or swords, or sling shots, or catapults, etc then thats my prerogative...
Because my child may go to someone's gun friendly house and find a gun that may or may not be a toy.....
Because to me certain things shouldnt be made into toys for children. Like guns, knives, cigarettes, and crack pipes....
ITA and want to add that especially when it comes to boys I feel that the toys geared towards them are just so violent. Our society immediately puts violent toys in their hands such as super heroes, transformers, guns, swords, etc. Where as we put dolls, and kitchens in girl's hands and teach them to be loving good mommies and wives. I do think later on in life boys tend to be more rough, and violent. Maybe they are not shooting and killing people, but there are many boys who get into fights, have bad tempers, hold their emotions in, etc. It would be nice if we could raise more gentle boys.
Now my DS has a kitchen, we gave him a doll. he has a doll house and he also has cars, trains, airplanes etc. He is only 3 and we have yet to expose him to superheroes. I don't know what the future holds and if he asks for them I guess I would give them to him. This weekend I went to a 5 year old costume party and 2 boys were dressed as super heroes and they started fighting like super heroes hitting and pretending they had weapons. You rarely see girls socialize like that.
I do not think guns definitely lead to little kids growing up shooting people, but they definitely show kids that violence is okay. Violence comes in many forms, yelling, hitting, kicking, and bad tempers which can come out in adulthood. Like I said before I just think in general boys are exposed to more aggressive and violent toys and it bothers me. I may not be able to keep my kids away from the super heroes, but play guns will never enter my house.
I think all of us make our own decisions and hope for the best. I might not give my kids guns, but I know may they will be exposed to violence in other ways so who knows. It is just not easy raising kids. Sorry I am babbling.
well said!
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| Posted 1/19/11 8:43 AM |
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JP826
=)
Member since 9/06 10903 total posts
Name:
Me!! All about ME!
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by hbugal
Because to me certain things shouldnt be made into toys for children. Like guns, knives, cigarettes, and crack pipes....
Exactly.
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| Posted 1/19/11 9:09 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Because I dont want my kids playing with toy guns. That is it!!!! I dont need to stae my whole opinion why.
Message edited 1/19/2011 9:42:51 AM.
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| Posted 1/19/11 9:38 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
As a BTDT, I didn't give toy guns to my kids. I was anti-toy gun too, but for me it was a "never say never" thing.
He & his friends at daycare used to play army. How he knew about army when he'd never seen army things came from his friends. He wasn't allowed to see Spiderman until he was 5-6 years old. But before that he would take his Wiggle's guitar & pretend it was a gun. He would use his toy trucks & smash them together. He would take sticks & pretend to shoot. We got him a fake gun (which these days toy guns are not allowed to look like real guns for that very reason that they could be mistaken).
By the time a kid is 3-4-5, they become obsessed with Superheroes. The unknown. it's the same reason why girls start believing in fairies & magic. It's there way of controlling what is "scary" to them.
So now my kid has an entire arsenal of Nerf guns.
Message edited 1/19/2011 9:42:35 AM.
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| Posted 1/19/11 9:41 AM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Why so much hate against toy guns?
Posted by mommyIam
just curious, cause I didn't know what hunting was till I was in high school... seriously, I grew up very urban
What where you killing when you played with toy guns? And if you were killing each other, then how is it you didn't associate the hunting gun cold be used to kill a person?
Imaginary guns killed imaginary bad guys. Like all our heros and heroines would save the day.
I had a BB gun and it was a for target practice. We'd make targets up and see who could get the best shot at what distance.
As far as video games. I wish kids would play with guns outside in the backyard as cops and robbers vs stuffed inside in front of a TV. I dont care if its Barney bouncing on numbers or Joe Soldier killing men with his bare hands. I'll take outside over inside anyday if I could.
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| Posted 1/19/11 9:41 AM |
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