Irma's Gun is the story of a poor Indian woman who obtains a license to kill after saving the president's life. This "license" is passed down through generations either fearful of the privilege or overly aggressive in wanting to use it. Bryce, Irma's descendant, becomes the main character who grapples to live with the license, not even realizing that she has it. Her whole life is stifled because everyone knows it but her. In the end, she is content to find a small piece of happiness.