They Gave Him a Gun (1937)

Jimmy Davis, a physically weak individual, is drafted into the military and trained to use a gun. He becomes friends with Fred Willis and they are sent to fight in Europe together. Fred falls in love with a nurse named Rose, but when he is reported missing, Jimmy quickly marries her. Jimmy uses his gun with extreme violence, becomes a war hero and receives a medal. Despite his heartbreak, Fred accepts Jimmy's marriage to Rose.

Years later, back in the United States, Jimmy has turned to a life of crime and becomes a gangster. When Rose discovers the truth, she takes action by having him arrested, preventing him from participating in another gang-related massacre. Jimmy goes to prison. Rose joins Fred's circus to have a job, but Jimmy believes her to be unfaithful. He escapes from prison and attempts to kill Fred, but Fred takes away his gun and reveals that Jimmy is a coward without it. Jimmy runs away and is eventually shot by the police.