Would you ever buy your child a toy gun to play with? 

For many children, especially boys, it is something they desperately want. 

For their parents, it is something that can provoke strong reactions. 

While some do not mind at all, others vehemently do not want their children play with imitations of dangerous weapons. 

On Lunchtime Live, journalist Niamh O’Reilly described it as a “tricky one”. 

 “I think the reassuring thing from the experts’ point of view, there really isn’t a big body or data or research out there to suggest that kids playing with toy guns is harmful or dangerous in any way,” she explained. 

“In fact, it’s a really, really normal part of their developmental play. 

“Even if you, as a parent, say, ‘Look I’m not comfortable with you playing with a toy gun’, the likelihood is they’re going to make it out of something else - a banana, a stick, a finger - whatever they can find.” 

A boy with toy gun. Picture by: Alamy.com. 

Ms O’Reilly added that for many children, asking to play with a toy gun is nothing to do with the toy gun itself. 

“It’s about the roles that they’re playing and what they’re learning from that,” she continued. 

“So, I think even as a parent myself, I don’t really mind my kids playing with toy guns. 

“I did have a niggle about it, I won’t lie, but I think it’s more my perception of a toy gun that is the problem.”

Main image: A boy firing a toy gun. Picture by: Alamy.com.