Boy Scouts Ban Water-Gun Fights Because They Are ‘Unkind’

Boy Scouts of America has banned both squirt-gun fights and anything involving a water balloon larger than a ping-pong ball. “Pointing any type of firearm or simulated firearm at any individual is unauthorized,” states the group’s 2015 manual. “Water guns and rubber band guns must only be used to shoot at targets, and eye protection must be worn,” it continues. As for those other dangerous weapons, water balloons, they may be “no larger than a ping-pong ball” and must be biodegradable. Sound like a bit much? Well, according to Bryan Wendell, authort of the blog Bryan on Scouting, there’s a actually perfectly logical explanation:  “A Scouter once told me this explanation I liked quite a bit: ‘A Scout is kind. What part of pointing a firearm [simulated or otherwise] at someone is kind?” True point,” he writes. After all — it’s not like water guns are totally banned! You still can use them to shoot at targets! I mean, as long as you wear protective eyewear! Oh, and by the way — the targets are also not allowed to look like humans either. Just to be, you know, extra safe or something. The ban also extends to the obviously very dangerous laser tag.