an icepick through the keyhole

As left liberal as I am, it may surprise some people to know that — if my support for it counted for anything — I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment.

Of course, I advocate some degree of gun control (well-regulated, after all), but I also advocate the responsible use of guns.

Eliminating toy guns sort of misses the point. The problem is not that they're learning that the bigger weapon is better. The problem is whether or not they are taught that violence is the correct answer to any conflict. Whether it's fisticuffs, or knives, or baseball bats, or IEDs, guns are just a tool. The removal of them doesn't get rid of violence; it just removes a means of doing so. The fundamental mis-lesson is more important.

In any case, Nerf weapons, despite their shape, do not resemble real world guns to any significant degree. I don't think you'll see a Glock being painted in bright orange, purple and green anytime soon, so I don't think the chance of confusing one with the other is all that high.

So, no, I wouldn't forbid children the use of toy guns. Because they're toys. I would teach them however, the qualitative difference between toys and the real thing. Kids are smart. They'll get the difference.