A Gun in the House has been described as the TV Movie equivalent of Death Wish. This is fairly accurate. Both feature neighborhoods with criminals causing havoc and a vigilante to stop them. A Gun in the House isn't anywhere as sensational and it is plodding in places. Both can be seen as a comment on crime in society dealing with home security, gun crime and burglary.
There is some fine acting that elevate it above many made for TV thrillers. The film is notable in that it features a fairly nasty rape scene that goes on longer than one would expect in a 1980s TV Movie. No surprise that when it was broadcast on UK TV possibly in 1991 it attracted some complaints for decency. It was also released on VHS tape in the UK and with it being a precert it goes for a pretty penny.
The film is well worth seeing despite a fairly dull 20 minutes before the finale it manages to be a tense, well acted little film. Despite its reputation it never goes into sleazy territory, unlike Death Wish. I'm not sure if it is better or worse for it.
