Hi J.-
I have 4 boys (23 to 17).
I am certainly NOT pro gun...per se...
But when my eldest was 2 or three...and he 'bit' a piece of toast into a 'gun'...and started to 'point' it at his younger brother...I kinda picked other battles.
At that time...all they had been exposed to were disney movies and PBS.
Go figure!
Anyway, as time went on...I became a little less rigid. We had 'super soakers'...squirt guns...and water balloons as well. All things that, in MY view were a tad more 'appropriate' kinds of play.
I also, as they got older, educated them with regard to 'real' guns...safety issues...mainly because where I lived in northern VA, at the time. many family's had 'real' guns. I imagine (correct me if I am wrong) Texas would be much the same in terms of guns in the home.
I say, 'pick your battles'.
IF this is one that you feel a COMPELLING need to make a battle...then go for it.
It was not one of mine...
And, as an aside...eldest is now an officer in the army...deploying to Afghanistan this fall. Next son is a history major...delaying his graduation...but working full time in the health field....Next son just got a 3 year ROTC scholarship...and is studying criminal justice...And next son is an honors/AP rising senior in HS exploring college options.
Oh...and my girls played with super soakers, water guns and water balloons...although none of THEM 'bit' toast to make a gun...LOL
Best Luck!
michele/cat