Platform : Should Parents Give Children Toy Guns?

The latest in toy weaponry often ranks high on the holiday wish lists of children. The debate over toy guns is hardly new but has picked up steam because of the realistic look-alikes on the market. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders gave her opinion earlier this month at a congressional hearing, urging parents not to buy their children toy weapons.

JANET THEOLOGIDY

Mother of boys ages 3 and 1, Mission Viejo

I think toy guns cause children to act more violent, especially with television playing a part. I just wouldn’t buy them for my kids. I don’t like them.

My 3-year-old has asked for toy guns before and I’ve discouraged it. I would turn his attention to something more appropriate, like a game or some other toy. The peer pressure is hard.

PAUL M. WALTERS

Police chief, Santa Ana

Anytime you give your children toys, it can have an effect on them, particularly if they’re toy guns that are similar to or replicas of real guns. Many companies have gotten away from making those, but there are still toy guns that appear almost identical to real guns--so unless you’re really close enough to examine it, you wouldn’t know if it was real or if it was a toy.

I would encourage people, if they’re going to buy a toy gun, to not buy anything that’s similar to a real firearm. And if they don’t know whether it is or not, then the best course of action is not to do it at all.

A lot of water pistols are the same size and shape as real guns, but they are made with colors so you can easily tell what they are. That’s the safe way to go, to buy something that obviously would not be mistaken for a real firearm.

ROSANNA BLUMENBERG

PTA president, Palisades Elementary Charter School, Pacific Palisades

Playing with toy guns seems unavoidable, especially among young boys. The result of play activity with a toy gun, whether or not it is realistic-looking, is the same: Someone is shot. Parents need to discuss with their children, on an age-appropriate level, the difference between real violence with real guns and playing with toy guns.

A child can turn his hand or a stick into a gun. They do it no matter what. I’ve found with my son that I’d rather sit down and talk with him and say, “This is just play. This is pretend, but the things you see or hear about in the news are real. There’s a big difference.” You can’t just give a child a toy gun and say, “Go for it.” Interacting with your child, making him understand the difference, is really more important than how the gun looks.

JIM WALKER

Chairman, Santa Ana Human Relations Commission

As a child, I had a lot of fun playing with toy guns. It was gory, but it was all fantasy. Nowadays, it’s not fantasy. I know too many families that have been affected and families who have said their kids are afraid they might be kidnaped or meet with violence. It’s no longer fantasy. It’s right at their doorstep and I think toy guns are scary.

Recently, I went to a party where I bought squirt guns for the kids. I had to go all over the store before I found one that didn’t look like a Luger or some other real gun.

I do believe that with toy guns parents should use discretion because it’s not so much to hide a world from them, but guns are associated with a violence that is all too real. When I see a toy gun, I think of the tragedy that can happen just by people mistaking it for a real gun. You’re trying to protect your kids and something like a toy gun could expose them these days to more danger than it’s worth.

Maybe years from now when we clean up our urban violence, we can bring out the fantasy games again. But right now, the fantasy is all too real and it’s all too violent and it’s all too deadly.

SUSAN SAXE-CLIFFORD

Police psychologist, Encino

Through my work with law enforcement, I find out what’s happening in the community and the effect of some of these issues we’re dealing with on officers’ children and children in general. It’s a very frightening time. Things in the news are frightening to adults, let alone children. And I think to give them toys and choices to entertain themselves that get them away from some of the violence would be a good idea--books, games, learning tools. The thing about toy guns is, it’s make believe, but it’s all about violence. Police officers will tell you that guns have one purpose and that’s to kill.

So with all that’s happening in the news, I think it would be nice to lighten up this particular holiday season. I’ve just been dealing with the death of a police officer in a multiple homicide in Oxnard. And the Polly Klaas killing is on everybody’s mind. So, for the season of joy, I think another choice might be better.

NICHOLAS LEONARDO

Eighth grader, Ball Junior High, Anaheim

I don’t think kids should be able to have toy guns because if they happen to walk into their parents’ room and they can’t tell the difference between a real gun and a fake one, they could end up shooting somebody. This happens all the time. They could pick up a real gun and shoot one of their friends, an innocent bystander, their sister or brother, any person who’s around. And people who see a kid with a gun could freak out. They could get scared and run to the neighbors or call the cops.

There’s a program going on at school where you’re supposed to report anyone seen with a fake weapon so no one gets hurt. They don’t want any violence--no guns, no razors, nothing like that. No can openers. Nothing.

KERRY O’NEAL

National Rifle Assn.’s Southern California field representative

I feel that any toy needs to have adult supervision. It should be left up to the parents to determine if their children are mature enough or responsible enough for any toy, whether it’s electric or a toy gun or anything else. I happen to have a son who’s 5 years old and he’s not into guns and that’s his choice. I don’t buy him toy guns. He’s into trains.

I think it’s time for parents to make a responsible choice in the toys that they buy. When you give anyone even the perception of a gun, there needs to be some type of educational process. I sincerely believe that, toy or otherwise.