What’s a gun for?

What’s a gun for?
I ask myself
If it is not to kill
I want you to defend yourself
I bear you no ill will
But a gun is made for killing
And to own one shows intent
How can we protect the living?
Just what harm can we prevent?
While we arm ourselves for war
Even when we are at peace
While we aim a loaded weapon
To make the bloodshed cease

What did JFK die for?
Or Martin Luther King?
Did we have to lose John Lennon?
Could we not have let him sing?
Songs of peace and songs of sorrow
For the tens of thousands slain
In the promised land, America
Where dreams turn into pain
Where reasons turns to vapour
Compassion turns to dust
Because I simply must bear arms
I must, I must, I must

Please tell me
What’s your gun for?
If it is not to kill
I want you to defend yourself
I bear you no ill will
But a gun is made for killing
And when you hold it with pride
Your rifle wielding children
Standing gleeful at your side
You show the world around you
America’s cruel face
The old dream is forgotten
And hoisted in its place
Is a bully with a gun
But who lacks the strength to see
You can’t hide behind a weapon
While claiming to be free