She also refused to buy me squirt guns that looked like real guns even if they were neon

That might actually be a good thing depending on where you grew up in the world. Some of these aren't neon, but I'm not sure if it would have helped

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Tamir_Rice

https://sjcitizen.com/off-duty-police-officer-shoots-bishop-kenny-student-playing-senior-assassin-game-with-friends/

https://abcnews.com/GMA/News/officer-shoots-student-playing-water-gun-senior-game/story?id=132977374