I've held off on toy guns, even though at 1, Caden was making legos into guns and shooting up the place. I turned my nose at my neighbors toy wood rifle and would not let the younger Caden play. Recently I sucuumbed too. At age 4 (and 1/2 -Caden would say) I bought a plastic green water gun. He uses his fingers too shoot these days anyway. He is crazy over superheros and fighting bad guys. I am surprised at myself, but I do not think it will change his thoughts on good and bad. I was at the playground and another little boy (about 2 was eyeing it) so I let him hold it. The poor mom, she did not admit it, but was upset and left about 5 minutes later. So now, I too gave in. I have brothers. My brothers even had bb guns when we were kids. Like you said, it is just the hunt protect part of being a boy. I will just try to make my boys aware of the harm a gun could cause.