Classic TV is usually safe. You know what you're getting. But every so often, a show like The Simpsons decides to poke a beehive with a very short stick. When we talk about homer simpson with a gun, we’re usually referring to the Season 9 episode "The Cartridge Family."
It’s a weird one.
The episode originally aired on November 2, 1997. It didn't just ruffle feathers; it practically plucked the chicken bare. Even today, in 2026, the image of Homer using a handgun to turn off his television or open a can of Duff beer remains one of the most polarizing moments in animation history. It's funny, sure. It’s also deeply uncomfortable. That’s the point.
What Really Happened With The Cartridge Family
The story kicks off with a soccer riot. Not just any riot—a "city-wide orgy of destruction" sparked by a boring match between Mexico and Portugal. Springfield is trashed. Naturally, Homer gets spooked. He looks into a home security system, realizes it costs $500, and decides a $29 handgun is a much more "frugal" way to protect his family.
Wait. A $29 gun?
Yeah, that’s the first joke. He heads to "Bloodbath & Beyond," where the salesman shows him accessories like a "loudener" and a "speed cocker." When told there’s a five-day waiting period, Homer’s response is legendary: "Five days? But I'm mad now!"
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He spends those five days in a Tom Petty-scored montage, imagining himself as a vigilante. When he finally gets the weapon, things go south fast. He doesn't just own it; he obsesses over it. He puts it in the vegetable crisper. He points it at Marge’s face while trying to be "romantic." This isn't the lovable buffoon we usually see; it's a version of homer simpson with a gun that feels genuinely dangerous.
The NRA and the Big Misunderstanding
One of the funniest twists involves the National Rifle Association.
Usually, The Simpsons mocks right-wing groups by making them look like villains. Here, the NRA members are actually the voice of reason. Guys like Moe, Lenny, and even Krusty the Clown take gun safety seriously. They eventually kick Homer out because he's too reckless.
Think about that.
The NRA—the group Marge calls "gun nuts"—decides that Homer is too crazy for them.
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Mike Scully, the showrunner at the time, later said the message was simple: Responsible people can own guns, but "a man like Homer should not own a gun." It’s an even-handed take that managed to piss off everyone. The real-life NRA sent a letter of complaint. Censors in the UK actually banned the episode from airing on Sky1 for years. They felt it made gun misuse look too "imitable" and "comical."
Why the Ending Still Sparks Debate
The episode doesn't end with a neat moral.
After Marge leaves him and stays at the Sleep-Eazy Motel, Homer finally "gets rid" of the gun. Or so he says. He lies, of course. He keeps it in his pocket and uses it to stop Snake from robbing the motel lobby.
It works. He saves the day.
But then he immediately hands the gun to Marge and admits he can't be trusted with it. He says he felt an "incredible surge of power, like God must feel when He's holding a gun." It’s a chilling line.
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Then comes the real kicker. Marge, the one who spent the whole episode demanding the gun be destroyed, takes it to the trash can. She sees her reflection in the metal. She looks... powerful. Instead of throwing it away, she tucks it into her purse.
The credits roll to the theme of The Avengers.
Fact Check: Was it Banned Everywhere?
Not exactly. While Sky1 in the UK skipped it during the initial run, the BBC eventually aired it in 2001. Some versions were edited to remove the scene where Homer points the gun at Marge, or the final shot of Marge keeping the weapon. In the U.S., it stayed intact, though it remains one of the few episodes with a "viewer discretion" advisory on certain streaming platforms.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to revisit this piece of TV history or find merchandise related to this specific era, here’s how to navigate it:
- Watch the Commentary: If you have the Season 9 DVD (or access to the "Extra Features" on certain platforms), listen to the track. It features John Swartzwelder, the legendary, reclusive writer who rarely spoke to the public. He was notoriously pro-gun, which explains why the episode mocks both sides so effectively.
- Check the Edits: If you’re watching a broadcast version in Europe or Australia, look for the "William Tell" scene with Bart and Milhouse. If it's missing, you're watching a censored cut. The full version is only available on physical media or uncensored streaming.
- Identify the Meme: The "Waiting" montage is now a massive meme used for everything from video game releases to election results. Understanding the context of Homer’s "potential dangerous" rating adds a layer of dark humor most people miss.
The legacy of homer simpson with a gun isn't just about a cartoon character with a weapon. It's a time capsule of 90s satire that refused to pick a side. It showed a protagonist at his absolute worst and left the audience to decide if the "tool" was worth the terror.
Check the "Bloodbath & Beyond" scene again. Watch for the background details in the gun shop. You'll notice the shop is based on a real-life store that the LAPD actually used to resupply during the 1997 North Hollywood shootout. That’s the level of detail that made this era of the show untouchable.