What is the Christian View of the Possession of Firearms?
Sadly, we usually only go a few week before hearing about another school shooting. While we should be grieving for the dead and for the loved one left behind, it usually turns into a debate about gun control.
So what is the Christian view on the possession of firearms and gun control?
Well, obviously the Bible does not talk about guns, as they had not yet been invented. But that doesn’t stop Christians from having strong views on the subject.
There are some Christians who view nonviolence and the Christian position. This would include work toward banning guns, first of all for private citizens, but for some, getting rid of them from the government as well and the abolition of police and military.
There are other Christians who see guns as an important part of their conservative worldview. This is more common in the United States, where some see the U.S. Constitution almost as a holy document. For them, the answer to gun violence is not less guns but more guns, that is, getting more citizens armed to protect the innocent.
Both of these groups would seem themselves as having the Christian position and would shake their heads in disbelief at the other group.
I am not a pacifist and in fact, I am member of the Canadian Armed Forces (although I do not speak on behalf of the CAF). I am also Canadian and so I do not have the conviction that civilians need to be armed so that they can overthrow and unjust government.
I am a strong believer in fairly strict gun controls. I think hunters should have the freedom to have their rifles for hunting, but I can see no good reason for a private citizen to have a Browning pistol or an AR-15.
But I also don’t pretend that I have the Christian position on this subject.
I have my convictions and I try my best to sort through biblical principles and common sense. I might be right, I might be wrong.
This is a challenging topic and unfortunately, it is one that is costing lives, often the lives of children. It is much more than an academic debate.
I think the best way forward is to do the research and examine how different nations have approached this. What policies have increased or decreased gun violence? What lessons can be learned?
I believe that this is a better idea than holding onto fiery rhetoric that enflames the emotions. Our feelings matter, but in this case we need to do that which will save lives.
