Is this normal or ok?

[jessiec24]

Hi my 11 year old son plays with Nerf guns and like guns. while at his grandparents at the weekend he was looking at guns on the internet (supervised) & playing Army games. Since then my parents have said my sons obsessed with guns and its unhealthy. when at home he plays army games, plays with nerf gun. He doesn't bother with the Net. He does play army computer games. He does well at school and is happy. Does it sound like i should be worried or is it a case of my parents sticking their noses in? ( baring in mind they rarely see my son & weren't the best parents).

[jessiec24]

Thank you for the reassurance. He does just like Nerf guns and playing games. He has a fantastic imagination. He has restricted tv/gaming console/net time. And has no computer etc in his room. He doesn't isolate himself in his room, to be perfectly honest he is rarely in his room and spends more time in our company and friends company. I will speak to my doctor as well. Thank you so much for the comments.

[jessiec24]

oh he certainly has never shown a desire to harm anyone or others. He just likes Nerf guns & Army games.

[MarkLakewood3367]

Liking guns is one thing.  Having a desire or intent to harm himself or others with a gun is another thing all together.  

[jessiec24]

Thank you, He Knows right from wrong and he never aims guns at people, animals etc and it is just Nerf guns he has. He is massively into star wars and has a huge collection, He likes to collect other things to. I will phone my doctor and get his input. I like to air on the side of caution.

[AnnieBrooke]

I think in your shoes, I would ask someone else, not your parents who weren't the best parents.  My son looks all the time at cars, and likes car magazines, and watches Top Gear, and wants every now and then to go to the dealership to admire the cars.  I figure it's normal for a kid to like something that categorizes (a cousin of his is into birds for the same reason).  But the fact that it is guns and you have not particularly pushed it on him, (in other words, your house is not bristling with guns or anything), it is worth being cautious about his interest and taking it as a bit of a signal.  You might speak with a kids' therapist to see if this is just one of those collectors attitudes kids get, or if it is something more concerning.