Replies

These kids are all very young. Do you really think it would be appropriate for them to be watching violent movies, even those which would be perfectly appropriate for adults?

As for the toy guns, I don't think parents should allow them. Though I'm sure I'd part with Jolie and Pitt on the issue of teaching children to handle real guns from an early age. Letting children play with toy guns builds bad habits that are easily carried over to real guns. Years of running around with your finger on the trigger of toy guns, and pointing them willy nilly, builds habits that won't be easily reversed.

Start teaching kids to safely fire, load, and unload real guns when they're 5 or so, and keep them away from toy guns, and you'll get a child who habitually practices safe gun handling and understands that guns are serious business. I knew one woman who started her youngest at age 3, with a realistic air gun, at the range, and had him reciting the rules before each shot. His two slightly older siblings were practicing with .22s.

My problem is not that small children should be watching R rated movies. At issue is their attitude about guns and violence and the world around them.

As for the toy guns, I don't think parents should allow them. Though I'm sure I'd part with Jolie and Pitt on the issue of teaching children to handle real guns from an early age. Letting children play with toy guns builds bad habits that are easily carried over to real guns. Years of running around with your finger on the trigger of toy guns, and pointing them willy nilly, builds habits that won't be easily reversed.

That is very silly. When I was a kid we played cops/robbers, cowboys/indians, monster vs monster, whatever. You don't need a toy gun to play at fighting and killing, you can point your finger and say "bang". Playing is an important part about learning and using your mind and body. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar and sometimes playing is just that. It doesn't develop habits about holding a gun lol.