# How foolish would I be to keep a realistic-looking toy BB gun at home to deter intruders? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 9, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324 "2026-03-09T23:17:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/41 "2026-03-10T15:23:44Z")
Thanks for the dog suggestions, but it would cost even more (if a handgun is hundreds of dollars, a dogs is thousands and thousands), and while I like animals, not enough for the hassle of owning one, especially since I’m in a really small apartment. And a dog is a 12-year long commitment. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/42 "2026-03-10T15:29:50Z")
Go with this. Bear Spray in the face is hell on Earth, has a good range, and the horn calls for help, & scares off more than bears. [https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Frontiersman-Deterrent-Capsaicinoids-FBH-LT-AMZ/dp/B0CV4GBNG2/ref=sr\_1\_7?crid=EU2BITY5I8FS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NSehSPjb7qM49RKZP1VOCsrLId4JNnbGEx2LynxwFzAfpLmPU0utyKKXzXj6AaJakPzopAAMeaIZftah4k8PbKj-MvvXVv2\_smDQBbxlMq-HBeqUtM2bZSC-jinwFFSelFmneID119cJGJhemKz2M5gda5IO6wx0mC5J0Tmny9j7s8okpovvneEUSYLJWlHsmVhuS6dkQv\_pBZVHvnlTNINdrMr0n8VacaRGQZgmWC\_GGLPyBCpZJp1bYiaJuBvgK4dDLcL-BAwnA3-0cC\_Y5Ce\_0vjvEjF3w\_SKQMbhqoc.kMkYpoxZyWOagS8MpnJTqTCPiHHW8tZgcZGPo\_IeTKA&dib\_tag=se&keywords=Bear+Spray&qid=1773156498&refinements=p\_72%3A1248957011&rnid=1248955011&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=bear+spray%2Csporting%2C207&sr=1-7](https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Frontiersman-Deterrent-Capsaicinoids-FBH-LT-AMZ/dp/B0CV4GBNG2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=EU2BITY5I8FS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NSehSPjb7qM49RKZP1VOCsrLId4JNnbGEx2LynxwFzAfpLmPU0utyKKXzXj6AaJakPzopAAMeaIZftah4k8PbKj-MvvXVv2_smDQBbxlMq-HBeqUtM2bZSC-jinwFFSelFmneID119cJGJhemKz2M5gda5IO6wx0mC5J0Tmny9j7s8okpovvneEUSYLJWlHsmVhuS6dkQv_pBZVHvnlTNINdrMr0n8VacaRGQZgmWC_GGLPyBCpZJp1bYiaJuBvgK4dDLcL-BAwnA3-0cC_Y5Ce_0vjvEjF3w_SKQMbhqoc.kMkYpoxZyWOagS8MpnJTqTCPiHHW8tZgcZGPo_IeTKA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bear+Spray&qid=1773156498&refinements=p_72%3A1248957011&rnid=1248955011&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=bear+spray%2Csporting%2C207&sr=1-7) ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/43 "2026-03-10T15:33:47Z")
Answer one question REALISTICALLY. WILL (not “could”, “might”, etc) I shoot an intruder if he breaches my perimeter and enters my home. YES: Buy a real gun. NO: No gun, neither real nor make-believe. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/44 "2026-03-10T15:42:47Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’ll admit, of all the reasons against gun ownership that I’ve ever heard, that’s a new one. The lead in the bullets will do exactly zero harm to you or the environment while they’re just sitting in a box (or gun). A rather nice cartoon on the subject: [![](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/e7/62/35e7620d785f777a97c369e10bb8fe2f.jpg) ](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/e7/62/35e7620d785f777a97c369e10bb8fe2f.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/45 "2026-03-10T15:45:30Z")
Piling on with everyone else, get a toy if you want a toy for it being a toy (paintball is fun, you get to shoot people & then have lunch/drinks with them afterwards & not spend lots on criminal defense/your life in jail) but only get a real gun, & training, & some regular practice to get/remain proficient if you intend to use it. As for any bear spray / mace. If you spray it you may incapacitate them, you may get yourself (how many people in a panic & hurrying have it aimed at themselves) but it will be in your house. You _may_ be able to get the FD to come out & ventilate with but your home is going to reek & may be uninhabitable for a while unti lit fully disapates. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Think about good security locks for the apartment door. And maybe one of those devices like my aunt once had for her apartment door, involving a metal bar that locks into a receptacle inside the apartment and supposedly prevents an intruder from bulling their way through the entrance to get inside. Obviously lease-specific, but overall, how many apartments allow you to add extra locks that prevent the owner (maint staff) from entering to fix a problem? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/46 "2026-03-10T16:00:38Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Fifthly, shooting with gas-powered BBs is a fun airsoft activity in its own right. Buying pepper spray or a Taser wouldn’t have the recreational fun of an airsoft pistol. This will be a minor point compared to others. When you say “BB gun” I think of something that shoots .177cal metal balls. Those can cause injury and break the skin. Airsoft shoots 6mm plastic balls and are routinely used in competitions where people shoot each other without injury (eye protection required). I mention that because Airsoft people take their hobby very seriously. Airsoft guns look and shoot very realistically. Because of that they are not cheap. So if you are looking for a realistic Airsoft gun to play with you will find you can get a real gun for cheaper than many Airsoft guns. You can get a .177cal BB gun considerably cheaper but the low end ones tend to look less like a real gun. “Fun Airsoft activity” as you call it can be very expensive. And yes using a fake gun as protection is a really bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/47 "2026-03-10T16:05:15Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Go with this. > > Bear Spray in the face is hell on Earth, has a good range, and the horn calls for help, & scares off more than bears. It is an extremely bad idea to use that inside a closed space unless you just want to commiserate with the intruder about how much pain you are both feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/48 "2026-03-10T16:33:29Z")
Yeah. I get that BB guns are a bad idea, but a lot of the reply comments in this thread seem to be about outdoors use, whereas I wasn’t intending to take the gun or anything out of the home. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/49 "2026-03-10T16:35:59Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Trying to fight off a home invasion will just get you killed, real people aren’t action movie heroes. Quoted for wisdom. Even cops can get rattled under stressful conditions. I used to work with them years ago and some of them I wouldn’t have trusted with a slingshot. I served in the military and would still likely be overcome with adrenalin shakes if it came down to it. When we had our own home, I had both a shotgun and a handgun, but they were primarily for RV protection on the road. My standing instructions were that if we heard someone breaking in, the wife would shut and lock the bedroom door and then plant her ass up against it while I got some firepower out of the closet and called the cops. Then, after police arriving and identifying themselves, I would tell them (prior to opening the door) that I had a firearm, was putting it on the floor, and then open the door slowly, hands showing. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/50 "2026-03-10T17:05:57Z")
If you’re looking for alternatives for home defense and you decide you want to use a bat/baton as your weapon of choice, put a tube sock on the end of it. That way, when you swing at The Bad Person, they’re going to try and grab the bat/baton, but they’ll just grab the sock. When you pull your bat/baton back, the sock will slip off, they’ll momentarily wonder “WTF??”, and that gives you time to whack them, probably repeatedly. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/51 "2026-03-10T17:21:49Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Quoted for wisdom. Even cops can get rattled under stressful conditions. I used to work with them years ago and some of them I wouldn’t have trusted with a slingshot. I served in the military and would still likely be overcome with adrenalin shakes if it came down to it. Yes; there’s been “random shooter” incidents on military bases, and most actual soldiers just freeze up in shock like anyone else and get killed. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/52 "2026-03-10T17:54:25Z")
In all seriousness, my metal softball bat is pretty decent. Of course though, it doesn’t negate the range advantage a gun-carrying intruder has. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/53 "2026-03-10T18:09:18Z")
I agree, pepper spray, and or a club. I’m teaching my wife how to shoot. Yes it’s expensive and takes time. She is doing very well. She wants to take an all woman’s class on defensive handgun use (excellent). But first she has to get a CCW permit (seems backwards to me) She hikes a lot, and was once surrounded by a pack of coyotes. Probably a pepper spray situation, but knowing how to use a handgun is a good skill to have IMHO. I have one safe, and we are going to get one for my wife once she has her handgun. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/54 "2026-03-10T18:49:46Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > I’ll admit, of all the reasons against gun ownership that I’ve ever heard, that’s a new one. The lead in the bullets will do exactly zero harm to you or the environment while they’re just sitting in a box (or gun). > > A rather nice cartoon on the subject: See also from 20 posts above yours: > [@How foolish would I be to keep a realistic-looking toy BB gun at home to deter intruders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/23): > > I’d go with the “get a dog” option. Dogs are safer than guns, are good for keeping intruders away when you aren’t home, and are dogs. [Funny cartoon on that](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/P233aMzezN4lDiLVuD87XpAJK24J_fBHERcYtKnfvkx1dHqqzvtXPtphm_DLOj0u70BduwcYdCpe6z--ztE-WQ). But they skipped the in-thread preview. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/55 "2026-03-10T19:14:54Z")
> [@ricepad](#): > > that gives you time to whack them, probably repeatedly. [How many lumps do you want](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKyhTX9LQEA&t=16s)? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/56 "2026-03-10T19:52:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Something I always like to remind people when they mention keeping a baseball bat under their bed is that you can’t swing a bat in a hallway Another good reason to pick up a decent sword. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No? If that’s an actual issue you should be _leaving,_ preferably for anther nation entirely. Home Invasions are a global phenomena. Latin America, UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Australia, South Africa, etc etc etc. If you are known to have lots of cash or other valuables, then an alarm system, a plan, and yes, maybe a handgun after training. If the burglar comes in just thinking no one is home, sure, barricade in bedroom, call 911, and yell for help (if you have neighbors)- plus a bat or a sword. But if it is a real home invasion robbery, the people are often a target, to get them to tell where the loot is hidden. > [@Cmyers1980](#): > > By most estimates (including the CDC) there is a far greater number of defensive gun uses (most of which don’t involve a shot actually being fired) than gun suicides or gun accidents. True. But gun is _one_ tool or answer- and not always the best one. > [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > Bear Spray in the face is hell on Earth, True. The only time a real looking BB gun might be a decent idea is if it is kids. In which case a blank gun would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/57 "2026-03-10T20:13:01Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Home Invasions are a global phenomena. Latin America, UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Australia, South Africa, etc etc etc. No; propaganda about it is, for the purposes of whipping up xenophobia. And in the case of the US, pushing support for “gun rights” to defend against the Evil Brown People who want to break into your home & rape and murder everyone. Meanwhile in real life, you’re more likely to kill yourself or an innocent if you own a gun than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/58 "2026-03-10T20:30:17Z")
The original thread was asking about how foolish it would be to keep a fake gun for home defense. Highjacked by the usual posters. Anti-guns and baseball bats were probably not what the OP had in mind when asking for advice. Carry on as you see fit. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/59 "2026-03-10T20:59:11Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > If you pull a gun, it means you’re in Condition Red. Shit just got real. Your life is in danger, and you’re thinking about using a BB gun? That’s a very bad plan. This. And I think the OP is mistaken about how an encounter with an intruder is likely to go down. You don’t yell across the room, “I have a gun and I’m prepared to use it”, and the intruder immediately stops in his tracks, considers his options and then leaves. That’s just not realistic. Things are likely to happen much more quickly. A much more likely scenario is you wake up to a sound in the night. You get our of bed and see a person with their face covered coming down the hallway. They see you and immediately rush at you. If you have a gun in your hand you _might_ have time to pull the trigger once or twice. Hopefully you have gone to the range to practice shooting and have good aim. You will very likely NOT have time to shout some kind of warning to the intruder, and even if you did, they are more than likely trying to neutralize you by coming at you at high speed. They are not stopping at your warning. A BB gun is not cutting it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324/60 "2026-03-10T21:24:43Z")
**Moderating** : This has very little to do with this thread, maybe you missed the OP. Also, you’ve been instructed to dial down the “rape” stuff in your posts. Stop it already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-foolish-would-i-be-to-keep-a-realistic-looking-toy-bb-gun-at-home-to-deter-intruders/1028324.md?page=4)