This was one of the many made-for-TV movies that was startling effective, in spite of limited budget and short production time. It gets its point across only too well, with expert direction by John Badham. He utilizes a number of odd point-of-view shots, and a cast of mostly unknown actors to provide the human interest essential to this story. The story's construction is a series of vignettes related by only one thread, the presence of the same gun in each case.
The main character is not a person, but as titled, a gun. It passes from hand to hand several times, commencing with its initial sale. As it changes hands in a variety of ways, each new possessor has a different agenda. The weapon itself is utilized in a variety of ways, often in manners that bring about woeful circumstances. The final tragic outcome of the last handler of the gun is rendered in a frightful image, which will stick with you long after seeing the movie. The commentary is clear and effective. A fine movie.