9 October 1999
William Gillespie & Dirk Stratton

Gun Control Debate Pantoum

The right to bear arms is incontrovertible.
We cannot be deprived of the right to defend ourselves
Against criminals and, yes, the government:
It is written in the constitution.

We cannot be deprived of the right to defend ourselves,
But unlimited defense devolves into offense.
It is written in the constitution
That times change and amendments will be required.

But unlimited defense devolves into offense
And so we need to defend ourselves, and your claim
That times change and amendments will be required
Is just what armed criminals want you to believe

And so we need to defend ourselves.

And your claim--
That everybody needs to be their own executioner--
Is just what armed criminals want you to believe:
The criminal arms manufacturers feeding on our addiction to violence.

That everybody needs to be their own executioner
Is exactly correct. And people kill people, not
The criminal arms manufacturers feeding on our addiction to violence.
Supply reflects demand reflects a need.

Is "exactly" correct? And people kill people? Not!
People with weapons kill people. People with guns kill people.
Supply reflects demand reflects a need--
To make a "killing": profits are not without honor in this country.

People with weapons kill people. People with guns kill people.
To infringe or protect the pursuit of happiness: freedom
To make a "killing": profits are not without honor in this country.
As much as our right to defend our property.

To infringe or protect the pursuit of happiness: freedom.
The right to bear arms is incontrovertible.
As much as our right to defend our property
Against criminals and, yes, the government.