---
title: If you can't fire the gun you can buy the bullets
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-you-cant-fire-the-gun-buy-the-bullets-1941/
description: 'Defense bond poster for workers: a helmeted soldier lies in grass behind a tripod-mounted machine gun that is firing.'
section: Collection
---

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3. If you can't fire the gun you can buy the bullets

[![If you can't fire the gun you can buy the bullets, 1941 US poster: Defense bond poster for workers](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/if-you-cant-fire-the-gun-buy-the-bullets-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/if-you-cant-fire-the-gun-buy-the-bullets-1941.jpg)

# If you can't fire the gun you can buy the bullets

Defense bond poster for workers: a helmeted soldier lies in grass behind a tripod-mounted machine gun that is firing, under the line 'If you can't fire the gun you CAN buy the bullets' and a red band 'Buy U.S. Defense Bonds'. The bond purchase is framed as the worker's own share in the soldier's fire, with the armed forces' image lending weight to the appeal.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Identity fusion](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/identity-fusion/) [Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
If you can't fire the gun
You CAN buy the bullets
BUY U.S. DEFENSE BONDS
See your Foreman for details of Purchase Plan
© BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY
```

[← If we produce enough of these we won't need these](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-we-produce-enough-of-these-douglas-1941/) [If you can't go across... come across! Buy war bonds →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-you-cant-go-across-come-across-1941/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [A Little American's Promise](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/a-little-americans-promise-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Transfer)
- [All Together! Enlist in the Navy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/all-together-enlist-in-the-navy-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Bandwagon, Identity fusion)
- [Members of U.S. Food Administration: America Has Promised to Feed the Hungry Millions of Europe, Waste Nothing](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/america-food-pledge-20-million-tons-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion)
- [Do Your Duty. Join the U.S. Marines. Help Them Defend America on Land and Sea](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/do-your-duty-join-the-us-marines-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Glittering generalities, Identity fusion)
- [50-50 (The Job of Beating Up the Hun)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/fifty-fifty-service-series-11-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Name-calling, Identity fusion)
- [Food Will Win the War: Member of United States Food Administration (Pledge Card)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/food-will-win-the-war-member-pledge-card-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Bandwagon)
- [Hit the Bull's Eye! Are You on This List? Get Your Name in the Circle: It's the Ring of Liberty](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hit-the-bulls-eye-ring-of-liberty-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Bandwagon, Identity fusion)
- [I Am a Soldier of the United States (Service Series No. 12)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/i-am-a-soldier-of-the-united-states-service-series-no-12-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Glittering generalities)