(First post here...easing into homeschooling along with public school until we move from NJ to TN this winter.)
The gun play issue is something we've needed to compromise on. We have guns in the house. To each his own, but our belief system states that it is our duty--indeed, our obligation--to protect ourselves and our family from those who would do us harm.
Our 5 year old isn't allowed to touch them or play with toy guns. If he wants to use his finger or a stick, no problem.
It's the danger of confusion I'm concerned about, not the possibility that he'll become violent from playing cops & robbers. (In fact, some kindergarteners here in NJ were recently suspended from school for just that sort of play, using their fingers as guns. No joke.)
When he's ready, he'll have a weapon of his own and will fully understand the finality of shooting a living creature. Until then, he takes our word for it.
In the meantime, he can chase his little buddies around with his finger drawn; he knows it's a game.
eta: apparently I lied - it's not my first post after all lol