we have a pink Crickett .22 for my daughter to shoot
For some reason that makes me uneasy as hell Especially the fact that it's pink as if it was a girly toy.
I started her out on my Marlin, but it's just too big for her to shoot well and I didn't want her to lose interest.
So, it's pink and girly, but she is well aware that it is not a toy. All guns in our house, whether real or pretend are treated like real, loaded guns and the four basic rules are strictly followed. She has to recite anytime we get the guns out and she will even point out when someone is being unsafe on TV.
A gun is just a tool. Like electricity, a car, or a hammer. Something to be respected but not feared.