[shoes_for_thee]

This is consistent with my experience.

Stick with right-angle found on the ground? Gun.

Inverted shoe? Gun.

Magnetic letter L? Gun.

Legos? Gun. Sometimes sword.

Sister's barbie held by arms with legs poiting at target? Gun.

Toast with bite out of it? Gun.

Weapons are basic, ancient tools. In fact, the oldest human artifacts ever found were weapons[0]. It should come as no surprise that they are popular children's toys, whether we like it or not.

To be clear -- I do not mind it, but the guns depicted here are realistic enough to potentially cause confusion for people with actual guns and should probably never be taken out of the house......

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schöningen_spears#targetText=T....

[fooker]

That's a very American view. In most places around the world, guns are so rare that nobody will mistake a realistic toy as a gun.

In India, it is somewhat common for kids to have toy guns which make a loud sound if you insert a 'cap' and pull the trigger. This is sold as a firework, and can be seen everywhere on the streets during festivals.

[jpindar]

Cap guns are, or at least were, very common in the US.

[fooker]

When is the last time you have seen a child playing with one in a public space?