Toy guns & dangerous habits

BB, I guess asking an antique dealer would be a good way to go. Or browse a book or two on antiques, next time you're in a Barnes & Noble or equivalent...Personally, I know they were around pre-1940.

Report back, okay?

:), Art
 
Thanks all, for your responses on this. I've still mixed feelings regarding these realistic toy squirt guns or even cap guns. Maybe I'm letting the anti's get to me, but as several have noted here, I'll be handling these toys just like the real thing - unless all parties know ahead of time that the toys and the game are harmless darts, caps or water. I agree with the premise that kids can tell the difference - at least we used to. Nowadays...???
 
I'm 23 and from Finland. So my experiences might be a little different than yours. But when I was a kid, I had lots and lots of toy guns. I played with them all the time. Then, one day, my father brought home his old air rifle. And now I own 3 firearms and want to buy many more... :) So you could say that the toy guns were the first step in becoming a gun nut. Imagine that - without toy guns, I might not be here asking all them stupid questions. :D

Anyway, I never had any problems understanding the difference between toys and real guns. (And nowadays, I handle toy guns with every bit as caution as the real deal.) Also, I explained my little brother that he is not allowed to touch any of my guns. He plays with his toys and leaves my guns alone. So I do believe kids can tell the difference between toys and real guns.

So for me toy guns have been quite useful. I understand the concern in toy guns causing dangerous situations, but that, IMHO, is where parenting comes into the picture. Parents should explain to kids that they can only play with their toy guns where it is safe. (And no, I don't have any kids, so this is all theory on my part. :))

(What scares me is the likes of one person I know who is into LARP - live role-playing. One fine day this nitwit decided to "pack" his very authentic looking Desert Eagle-toy around Helsinki city. And this person is legally an adult. Good grief... But we really can't ban everything that stupid people might use to get hurt with.)

------------------
Tony S.

Why be normal?
 
If we are going to insure that future generations will be prepared to defend themselves and their nation...

"A little girl of about five ran from the kitchen, chasing the birthday boy. She wielded a plastic AK-47 assault rifle, which sparked and sputtered as she fired at the boy."
http://frontpagemag.com/editors_note/en10-05-00.htm

This could be anywhere in the world: a Palestinian town, an African village, or even in America.
 
The article mentions that the play of animals mimics violent acts.

That reminds me of my friend's cat (well, ex-cat). He loved clawing at my ankles, batting at my fingers. He would even stalk us in the middle of the living room crouched low to the carpet, sneaking around corners. It was all in play, and we all knew it; including the cat.

When another cat attacked him, he hurt it pretty badly (was there ever any doubt), but never hurt a human adult or child.

Even cats know the difference.
 
Yes, but some cats are much more ignorant than the next.

Use caution. If I see a child that can responsibly handle a toy gun then they are ready to learn how to use a real one. If a child "plays" with toy guns they are not.

I think that letting them play too casually with toy g's may delay the development of maturity needed to handle the real ones safely.

The sooner they are responsible enough get the real ones the better. Cuz that' when the real fun begins, Right! -ddt4free
 
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