Nerf Guns?

 “Reyn Guyer is the man you have to thank for two amazing contributions to mankind,” says blastercentral.com, referring to Twister and Nerf Balls (the product that eventually evolved into the beloved Nerf gun). Nerf guns are a toy that almost every boy has had. The iconic weapons of destruction that powered the wars of our generation. The question that comes to mind is, of course, did Mr. Guyer intend to design Nerf guns as a weapon? Before the massive plastic Nerf guns, Nerf started as a company that sold soft foam balls for safe outdoor play. Perhaps what accounts for Nerf guns vast popularity is that they promote guns as toys and violence as a game.

I don’t mean to step on anyone’s toes here. I loved seeing the expansive collection of Nerf guns set up on my cousins’ walls and the intensity of a good game of Nerf war. Secretly, I would give anything to go back and place a strategic shot on my cousin’s head while hiding behind the couch.

But there is also something indescribably masculine about Nerf guns. The classic blue and orange color scheme of the devices almost scream that they belong to boys. As for the Nerf products for the girls, they’re pink and purple and not nearly as intimidating. The advertisements reflect this. Why does the classic “Rampage” gun feature a serious teenage boy amidst shooting, concentrated deeply on his target, on the packaging, while the “Rebelle” features a smiley girl simply posing with the gun. Why, I wonder, was the Rampage designed with such obvious power within its use and the Rebelle not? Did the fact that it was designed as such reflect the innate power and violence society placed on boys? However, this dynamic has evolved over the years. Although more women are featured in action movies, it’s still seen by many as empowering in a different way than men holding guns is. Almost like these women are strong and brave for being able to shoot, while it’s standard and expected for men.