HOMER SIMPSON AND THE GUN CULTURE- A GOOD MIX?

'The Simpsons' used to be clever and funny in the early years. Before they became neither, the writers served up a pretty hilarious look at the gun culture in the US. The episode first aired in 1997, but I happened to catch it as a rerun the other night.

The program began with a large soccer riot in Springfield when an over-hyped promotion packed the stadium with people. Unfortunately soccer is an acquired taste that has yet to be acquired in the States, so the net result was total anarchy in Springfield, complete with violence, arson and looting.

For home protection, Homer considered the pitch of a shady home security system salesman before he settled on a handgun. He was enraged at the five day waiting period for a background check, but was pleased when his numerous criminal convictions only limited him to three handguns.

Homer only needed one anyway.

The weapon was a very contentious issue at home when Marge completely opposed a handgun in the house and, even worse, in Homer's hands. She felt that Homer had joined the other side; the world of "gun nuts" in her opinion. Homers incredibly careless use of the gun only proved her point, even after they attended an NRA meeting.

Homer broke his promise to get rid of the weapon, so Marge moved out with the kids into a very seedy motel. Homer, on the other hand, hosted an NRA meeting in his home and displayed his characteristic complete disregard for safety with the weapon. He was kicked out of the NRA, the meeting, and his house while the responsible members finished their meeting in his home.

Homer was left alone with his thoughts and figured out that he needed his family more than the gun. He convinced Marge to come home, but encountered an armed robbery while paying the motel bill. He got the drop on the bad guy, but bumbled the moment and lost his gun to the robber. Fortunately a posse of his former NRA buddies arrived and saved the moment, even if they failed to capture the bandit.

The episode ended with Marge in possession of the handgun and being seduced by its power.

It was a half hour cartoon that summed up the ambivalence of the handgun issue in the United States. People take sides on the issue and 'The Simpsons' played it for laughs and satire.

Too bad they lost that vital comedic skill over the years, but they nailed it in the gun episode.