Then it was probably somthing like this
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crosman-M4...Black/19866093
Scary looking but functionally not much different than the 40-50 year old design of the Crossman 760 I got when I was 10 years old. It's shorter so it probably is less accurate than my 33 year old pellet gun.
I'd never let my kid's own one because it looks too real. I'd be afraid of them getting shot by the police on accident.
It looks a lot like the rifle the guy used in CT. But those are in the $1000-$1500 range. You can get modified versions of .22cal rifles that look and feel like the big version but run $300-900. They look just like the larger version and shoot similar caliber bullets, but much lower gunpowder charge so they are closer in power to a pellet gun.
For comparison, .22lr on the left, .223 like the guy used in the shooting on the right
The .22 is much cheaper to shoot and functions the same so you can own both and learn to operate the larger version without spending as much shooting it. I know because my in-laws are probably out buying up this sort of shit right now.
I'm starting to think I need a concealed carry permit to go to the extended family christmas. Either that or hope Jesus protects us.