# Danger of Fire Arms explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A cautionary poem warning against the reckless use of firearms, particularly revolvers, which are portrayed as cowardly weapons that often cause accidental deaths among friends rather than enemies. The poem emphasizes the tragic consequences of carelessly handling loaded guns and suggests that hunting with firearms rarely yields profit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The poem serves as a moral warning against the dangers of firearms, emphasizing responsibility and the tragic outcomes of carelessness.

## Key lines

> For to save life one great solver / Would be to prohibit the revolver

To protect lives, a major solution would be to ban the revolver.

_The poet advocates for prohibition of revolvers as a life-saving measure._

> I did not know that it was loaded.

The shooter claims ignorance that the gun was loaded.

_A common excuse after accidental shootings, highlighting the theme of negligence._

> Fire arms oft’ times do bring woes, / And they kill more friends than foes

Firearms frequently cause sorrow and kill more friends than enemies.

_The poet argues that firearms are more dangerous to allies than adversaries._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/danger-of-fire-arms
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters