Firewheel - the rubber band machinegun

In short, we think the Firewheel is a winner. Two guns cost US$45 and provided almost limitless fun, no damage and no tears.

The Firewheel can be purchased from www.firewheel.com

Should boys be allowed to play with guns

Some authorities are of the belief that play is a form of learning that stimulates a child's imagination and teaches important social skills such as co-operation and self-control.

Some believe that banning boys from playing with toy guns is futile and may even damage their development, while there are equally as many advocates against their usage.

One example is the Australian group National Action Against War Toys. The group believes such toys are harmful, in that they "engender an aggressive disposition in children which can manifest itself in subsequent violence, or that they engender a callousness and insensitivity to the feelings or suffering of others."

Very realistic toy guns cause additional problems and many governments have either banned or are considering a ban on realistic toy guns entirely as they regularly frighten the community and are often used in robberies.