[Sacajaweau]

Here's the problem...it's learning the difference between play and real. Teaching that play guns are as bad as real weapons is just plain stupid.

We played with toy guns all the time when we were kids...but never touched my dad's Brownie until it was time to learn to shoot.

[mountn man]

My grandfather ALWAYS had a rifle or shotgun or both, propped up in the corner of the kitchen, in their farmhouse. My grandparents had 9 grandkids, and WE ALL KNEW not to touch the guns. We all had plastic guns, squirt guns, cap guns or bb guns to play with. But even at 4 or 5 years old, we KNEW to NEVER EVER touch the real guns.

I was probably about 8 or 9 when my uncle took me out to shoot his .22 for the first time. I was in my EARLY teens when I went deer hunting with them for the first time.

None of my cousins or I, ever played with the real guns, and none of us ever grew up having a fear of them.