Today marks the 28th anniversary of a controversial Simpsons episode. The Season 9 installment was banned in certain areas for its portrayal of guns and the gun control debate. Over its long run, The Simpsons has consistently addressed important cultural events and issues. While the show continues to tackle new topics, some subjects have only been covered once, likely due to the sensitivity or intensity of the surrounding conversations.
Today marks the 28th anniversary of “The Cartridge Family,” a memorable episode of The Simpsons that first aired on FOX on November 2, 1997. The episode centers around Homer buying a gun for protection, and explores different reactions to firearms, from enthusiasts to those who fear them. It became controversial enough that some British channels banned it, and it remains a noteworthy episode decades later.
The Simpsons Tackled Guns in Controversial Episode
As a lifelong Simpsons fan, I always thought it was interesting how they tackled the topic of guns with “The Cartridge Family” – it’s the only time they really dove into it! The whole thing kicks off when some soccer hooliganism scares Springfield, and Homer, naturally, buys a gun. Marge is understandably horrified and wants it gone, but Homer digs in his heels, bringing up the Second Amendment and even joking about keeping the King of England in check! He’s so determined to prove his point that he actually takes Marge to an NRA meeting, hoping she’ll understand where he’s coming from. It’s a surprisingly nuanced episode, considering it’s The Simpsons!
Initially, it appears the NRA is full of extreme gun enthusiasts, as Marge observes. However, Homer proves to be the most reckless, casually using his gun for everyday tasks like opening beer. This behavior leads to his expulsion from the NRA, and Marge takes the family and leaves when Bart nearly causes a serious accident. The situation comes full circle when Homer attempts to use the gun to stop a robbery, finally understanding Marge’s concerns about its overall danger.
What Happened to This Classic Simpsons Episode?
The Simpsons episode “The Cartridge Family” aimed to present a balanced view of gun ownership. It showed both the risks of irresponsible gun use and the lax gun laws of the time, but didn’t take a firm stance on the issue. The episode concludes with Marge choosing to keep the gun, rather than discard it. The episode, and some of its scenes—such as Homer pointing the gun at Marge—drew criticism from groups like the National Rifle Association.
This episode wasn’t originally shown on Sky1 in the UK, though it did eventually air on a different network. When it did, certain scenes – like Marge’s refusal to discard the gun at the end – had been removed. Despite not taking a strong position on any particular side of an issue, the episode generated a lot of audience discussion. However, it was just the first of many times over the years that The Simpsons would cause controversy.
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2025-11-02 22:40