Toy Guns in Play Therapy

Abstract

This chapter explores current trends related to play therapists' beliefs related to the decision of whether to include toy guns, as aggression-release toys, in the playroom. This issue is especially timely given the recent epidemic of mass shootings and heightened concerns about gun violence. The chapter presents the results of an original empirical study examining play therapists' views about gun violence and gun control; play therapist beliefs about aggressive play and toy guns; and play therapist practices with regard to toy selection and limit-setting. Recommendations for future research are offered.