On a stormy evening, fourteen-year-old Bart Tare impulsively breaks a hardware store window and swipes a gun, only to be swiftly apprehended by Sheriff Boston. During Bart's court hearing, his devoted older sister, Ruby, who raised him alone, reassures Judge Willoughby that despite her brother's peculiar fascination with firearms, he is inherently non-violent. To substantiate her claim, she recounts a traumatic incident from Bart's childhood when he accidentally shot a chick with a BB gun. Meanwhile, Bart's companions, Dave Allister and Clyde Boston, the sheriff's son, reveal how Bart balked at exterminating a mountain lion for a bounty, emphasizing his skill as a marksman. Just before Ruby's wedding, she pleads for Bart to live with her, but the judge decides on sending him to reform school instead.
Fast-forward many years, Bart re-emerges in town and reconnects with Dave, now a newspaper journalist, and Clyde, who has taken on the role of sheriff. He shares his journey, explaining that he joined the Army after his time in reform school and has returned to establish a new life. That night, the trio visits the carnival, where they watch the stunning sharpshooter Annie Laurie Starr. The carnival owner, Packett, incites the crowd to compete against Laurie, and after Bart triumphs, he secures a job with Packett. Tension mounts as Bart and Laurie develop feelings for each other, inciting Packett's jealousy as he reminds Laurie of her past when she killed a man in St. Louis. When a confrontation erupts, Bart intervenes with a warning shot, leading to him and Laurie fleeing together after Packett dismisses them.
Driven by passion, Bart insists they wed and blissfully enjoys their honeymoon until financial strain sets in. While Bart considers selling his guns and seeking employment, Laurie longs for a lavish lifestyle filled with wealth. After convincing Bart to embark on a life of crime, the couple plunges into a thrilling yet perilous spree, albeit without inflicting harm. Bart's dissatisfaction grows as Laurie's desire for one final robbery at the Armour Meat Company intensifies. They infiltrate the firm, meticulously plotting the heist of the payroll office. However, catastrophe strikes when Laurie's boss, Miss Sifert, activates the alarm, prompting Laurie to fatally shoot her and a security guard. The pair narrowly evade capture, escaping to Southern California. Bart is struck with horror upon reading about Miss Sifert's and the guard's deaths, while Laurie confesses her past homicide during a robbery with Packett.
As the FBI begins to close in, tracing stolen money, Bart and Laurie flee to Ruby's house beside the railroad tracks. Concerned neighbors alert Clyde and Dave, who arrive to find Bart pointing a gun at them. Despite their pleas for Bart to surrender, the couple escapes in Ruby's car, heading to Madera National Park. When their car breaks down, they hide in the woods, eventually settling by a swamp to spend the night. The following morning, amidst thick fog, they hear Clyde and Dave calling for Bart. As Laurie prepares to shoot at their approach, Bart intervenes, shooting her before he is caught in a barrage of gunfire. Clyde and Dave stand over their fallen friends, somberly retreating into the distance, leaving behind a haunting echo of love, crime, and tragedy.
