Gun play

[theatokos]

This is a post for all those born male and for mothers of males.

If you are a male, did you play with guns? Did you turn non-gun items into imaginary guns? Do you think this is something innate in males? If not, where did you learn this behaviour from? As an adult male now do you have any parenting perspectives on this, or advice for the new mama of a male?

For mothers of males, do your sons play with guns or have gun play? If so, at what age did this start? Does this bother you? If so, how do you discourage this? Any thoughts for a new mama?

Comments

[thekitchenvixen.livejournal.com]

From Zack:

Yes I played Squirt Guns, Nerf Guns, and eventually BB Guns around age 14. I did turn non-gun items into imaginary guns (such as sticks, paper guns, etc). It is probably not something that is innate in males. I probably learned the behavior from the media, tv, toys, movies, videogames. I don't really have any advice on it.

From Me:

As for Indra and Niyama I will not forbid things that resemble guns (squirt guns or nerf guns) However, BB Guns can actually hurt people so they will not be allowed. As well as pretend guns that look real, I will explain why those items entice fear in others because of how dangerous they are. I know a lot of people who played with pretend guns (INCLUDING MYSELF and my husband) quite a bit who turned out to be very gentle and respectful and would not keep a gun in their home.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I loathe BB guns. If my kid wanted a gun that shot things we might then consider actually learning to use and shoot real guns, at range, with teachers, etc.

I'm wary of the forbidding thing too, for that is sure to entice some kids even more.

[raving-liberal.livejournal.com]

BB guns aren't toy weapons; that's what some parents seem to forget. They're weapons, period. Parents who give their children BB guns as toys are irresponsible, in my opinion.

[snowcalla.livejournal.com]

Agree!

We gave J a BB gun. He wanted a real rifle and wanted to hunt. So for 2 hunting seasons he had to show proper gun safty with the BB gun before he was given his first rifle. A BB gun IS a weapon and should be treated as such.

[raving-liberal.livejournal.com]

Before Liam was allowed to play with toy guns with friend, he had to demonstrate proper gun safety!

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I think this is great and I think I am going to copy you both on this!

[raving-liberal.livejournal.com]

These are the rules of gun safety Liam had to learn:

1. Never point a gun at something you don't plant to kill/destroy (in play, of course, the "bad guy" is the target of "destruction," but he had to graduate up to gun play w/ other kids).

2. Know your target and what's behind it.

3. Every gun is always loaded.

4. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.

The rules for toy weapon play (guns, swords, etc.) include:

1. "Weapons" only touch other "weapons"

2. If anyone feels uncomfortable w/ the "weapon" play at any time, the game is over.

Mothering Magazine had a FANTASTIC article on toy weapons and children that you'd probably find very helpful. Most of the rules that the parents interviewed followed were similar to ours.

[pwilk.livejournal.com]

Yay, range day! Give me a call. Heh, my grandpa gave me .22 when I was um, like 14 after I became a marksman in the boyscouts. I wasn't supposed to have it in the house loaded. Later there were other guns. I lived in the woods, not like all of you all. City folk, sheesh. Guns just were not really a problem. Everybody had them. Nobody shot each other. Often anyway. It was a different time I admit. Even my home town is gangsta now. Pathetic.

Anyway, as for playing with guns as a child; yep. Favorite game was: WAR! In the woods. With armies of children. All with sticks for guns. It was guerrilla war as well. Some went to Iraq and did OK. Maybe it was good training for little soldiers. We were hella violent as kids. Interesting to note, I never got in a fight in high school. I got sucker punched once, but that was about it. The hicks and hayseeds tended not to fight. Oh, and holy sh*t during hunting season, there were more high power sniper rifles than pistols at an Oakland ... (ok, won't go there).

Your little Ben is going to be a Marine no matter what or not you do to him. It will be his choice. Grin :)

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

"City folk"?? Mr Wilk, to whom do you think you're talking? I, at least, was not raised in the city!

"It was a different time I admit" This is because you are ancient. Decrepit. Molding before our very eyes.