The Question: As a gift, a family friend/relative gives your child a real-looking, toy gun. What do you do?
My 2 Cents: My rule is to never purchase toys for other people’s child(ren) that promote death, violence or destruction. Period.
If I was a parent, family friends/relatives would know, in advance, not to buy my child(ren) toys that promote death, violence or destruction.
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Take a few moments to check out the tweets from Twitter on this subject:
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PROTECTED TWEETER Would not accept it!!
Piddlepro tell em we don’t do guns in our house hold.
blogdiva i live in NYC…that would be unheard off unless you’re really into guns. NERFs, on the other hand are de rigueur 
AbayKamau Give it back.
CampbellX I would chuck it away. 
after telling them I don’t approve.
Pettra88 Not accept it and make sure they know why. My 10yr old son would even look at them and then me and politley refuse.
tjmlvs_christ When I was a kid a toy gun was a TOY! It still is! I think society has become so twisted! Next, water bolloons will be torture!
PROTECTED TWEETER ..i would tell them..im sorry but i don’t like the thought of him/her getting a toy gun in this house
flawlessmi I would say thank u then throw it away if I couldn’t get a gift receipt to exchange it for something more appropriate
coffeesassy I would politely give it back. I am not anti gun but the child should have an understanding.
treschic67 A toy gun is NOT an acceptable Gift to give a Child! We would Refuse the Gift & Scold the Adult that Gave my child the present
PROTECTED TWEETER without a doubt I would TAKE IT and dispose of it, IMMEDIATELY.
sutherngeorgian take the gun from them and shoot them with it & have a merry christmas. that’s the end of that present :
ObiOrion You do the same thing you would for any gift. Say thank you. The child getting it should be raised to say thanks too.
PROTECTED TWEETER tell them that the toy is inappropriate and that although you appreciate the gift, you prefer your kid not play with it.
cjsmom06 I respectfully decline the gift stating that we teach peace in our home. Guns are not acceptable as a toy-period!
iJustJason return it and thank the person for the gift. Tell them that’s not what we subscribe to in our home.
IamRah I return it and advise them that my children do not play with guns. I would also tell them of the dangers of that “toy.”
MissMeandI Depending on how old the child is, I’m not fretting 2 much abt it.. I grew up with toy guns & I’m good 2day
Divagwendolyn I would give the gift back. I wouldn’t mind a water gun cuz we had those as kids in fun fruity colors. Anything else is a no go
Newilli sorry, but that gift is gone! my kids didn’ even play w/ waterguns till 7th grade
BLKMGK It depends on the age of the child. If they’re old enough, I’ll let them have it but explain the rules of playing with it.
mayqueen79 Use it as an opportunity to teach my child about gun safety. Kids shoot each other because they haven’t been taught the dangers
roaddoggz Explain that it’s not an appropriate gift and return it to the person
EvansIPLaw It would seem ingrateful to give a toy back to the giver. Say thanks..and never let the child play with it. What about you?
ObiOrion Well, I’d say, “Cool!! I remember getting these as a kid and had tons of fun! Thanks!”
ranthonyhouston Reject gift & curse
NightShade10 I respectfully decline, and take custody of the toy and return it to them. Friends and family all know I was in random shooting
stan2000 Say NO
bprickett Thank them, but share that it’s not part of the values we want to build into our child. Offer to exchange.
PROTECTED TWEETER Thank them for the gift but explain to the child why they will not be able to keep & play with it.
tclarkusa It would magically disappear and i would remind my family friend/relative hubby & I don’t like those kinds of gifts.
md20737 I hide when they are not looking and put it up.
rishaholmes Throw it away!!! how stupid!!!
_kimford_ It’s gone ASAP (as in lost, broken, etc) & is replaced w/another gift. The giver gets an explanation.
LadyJay91 My Family Rule no guns are allowed as gifts – water, toy, pellet, nurf etc I never allowed my sons to have them
Mo_Rease I ask them do they have the receipt so it can be returned.
mrsxavib Either give the toy back or toss it in the garbage!
atane Confiscate it. However, I will teach them about the significance of weapons training when the time is right.
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The commentary doesn’t have to end!
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