Lyric discussion by GoPSYCHyourself 

Cover art for Pumped Up Kicks lyrics by Foster the People

I think the "six shooter" gun is hardly a reference to a toy or an imaginary handgun, but rather a literal reference to the type of gun that might be found in a parent's closet box hidden away from a child's reach (however ineffectively in this instance--and likely many others in reality). Any revolver is a six shooter! A .357 magnum is a six shooter or six gun, as is a 38 special. These are very real, and very common handguns, though the more common (at least on television and in films) Glock or Beretta 9mm are probably what spring to mind when one imagines a handgun.
As for the box of fun, sounds like porn, gun, ammo, maybe even some drugs and/or paraphernalia.
I, too, agree with the summation of neglect. I also agree with the assessment that pumped up kicks could be taken to mean highly sought sneakers, which represent the cool kids. I think that the two points that I question are that perhaps the cigarette might be a joint (hand rolled, and exactly the type of thing a latchkey kid could develop proficiency in manufacturing). And the final issue I see at work is the psychological state created by combination of the neglect and/or abuse suffered at home at the hands of his father, and the likely ostracism experienced at school enacted by the pumped up kicks-wearing cool kids and/or jocks. This perfect storm of lacking a functional primary support system, immediate and regular access to lethal means, potential substance abuse, and repeated provocation via bullying or ostracizing behaviors at school could create a dissociative split or state of pre-psychotic decompensation wherein he begins to view himself in unrealistic terms to protect himself (i.e. The lone gunman or cowboy out to enact justice). This impending psychotic break could also explain his conversing with the cigarette.
Thus, a school shooter is born, and artfully presented in a groovy tune to make us bob our heads, AND think...imagine that! GO, FOSTER THE PEOPLE!! Well played!!

Song Meaning

I think you hit it right on, except for maybe when he says he found " I don't know what". Either he's already psychotic, or he found some shrooms or similar and believes he's a cowboy. A kid I knew took shrooms and only managed to shoot himself with apparently dad's gun, in an orange grove. Also would explain talking to inanimate objects. ANyways liked your explanation, love the beats and sound, but unfortunately the meaning of the song will probably never hit the ears of the people it would benfit the most. GET...

No, every revolver is NOT a six shooter!!! "Six shooter" specifically refers to revolvers having cylinders with six chambers for holding individual rounds of ammunition. Five cylinders is another common configuration, but there are some that actually hold 10 rounds or more!

GoPSYCHyourself -

It's so funny that you described the song as a "groovy tune". The first time I heard the song I thought the same thing. I thought the chorus part had a "60's" feel to it -- something like the "Mama's and the Papa's" (or some other 60's band) would have sang back in that era. I first heard the song while I was driving my car and by the end of the tune I was tapping my foot and bobbing my head. When I read the lyrics, I was shocked (and saddened) a little bit. For me, it brought...