How should a Christian gun owner respond to government gun confiscation?

Answer

In American society, gun ownership is a constitutional right, as is the carrying of a firearm. It is a right that many Americans consider sacred, including many Christians living in America. More and more, the free exercise of this right is being restricted through various municipal and state laws, forcing the Christian gun owner to consider an important question: if the government—or a potential dictator—someday attempts to confiscate all guns, what should be the response?

Ground-level rules for the Christian’s relationship to government can be summarized with four main passages of Scripture: Romans 13:1–7, Acts 5:29, John 18:36, and Acts 16:35–39. Broadly speaking, Christians are to obey all laws, except those that require us to commit sin; even then, we are to submit to whatever punishment comes with disobedience. The Bible does not authorize believers to disobey laws simply because the regulations are unjust or inappropriate, or even because the laws conflict with a nation’s constitution. At the same time, Christians are not obligated to be entirely passive or naive in their dealings in a fallen world. Civil disobedience can be biblically justified in certain situations. Legal rights can and should be taken advantage of (see Paul’s defense of himself in Acts 22:24-29).

In general, any law not in conflict with God’s commands needs to be obeyed, as difficult as that law might be to the one under the law. Romans chapter 13 indicates that earthly government exists for a reason. Defiance of a law based solely on one’s preference defeats the purpose for which God instituted government. John 18:36 establishes that violence is entirely incompatible with a “defense” of the faith or the promotion of Christian ideals. Acts 5:29 implies that laws requiring one tTo commit sin must be disobeyed because God’s law is higher than human law. Acts 16:35–39 demonstrates the legitimacy of utilizing existing legal systems to their fullest extent, even in resistance to injustice.

Each situation has its nuances. Arguments can be presented that even laws not compelling sin could be perilous precursors to precisely that. Some human laws appear to conflict with implicit biblical commands, such as the directive to care for and safeguard one’s family, or with fundamental aspects of religious practice. The American Revolution was founded on this general realm of arguments. Some Christians today challenge pandemic-related restrictions on church attendance on the basis that the government is singling out worship rather than prioritizing safety—especially when the restrictions exclude bars, stores, and casinos.

A Christian gun owner’s reaction to government gun confiscation, or the possibility of such a “gun grab,” should be guided by the aforementioned biblical considerations. Neither firearms nor their accessories are integral to our relationship with Christ. Considering Romans 13:1–2, it is likely that even gun confiscation laws should be adhered to. American citizens who view the Second Amendment as fundamental to American society would understandably struggle to comply with such laws. However, Christians recognize that limitations on certain types of guns do not impede biblical faith. Naturally, actively engaging the legal and political system to prevent or rectify unreasonable restrictions is also consistent with the Christian faith.

Navigating the challenges encountered by Christian gun owners in response to potential gun confiscation is complex. Future developments could sway the balance in favor of one response over another. Restrictions on magazine size, for instance, differ significantly from a complete seizure of all rifles. A government taking appropriate legal measures to enact gun laws—which can likewise be overturned through the legal process—is much

It is crucial to distinguish between a government that disregards its own laws to implement gun control by decree.

Determining how to proceed (or not) in the face of gun confiscation will be a personal and situational matter. There is no straightforward or one-size-fits-all solution for how Christians should react to potential government gun confiscation. What is appropriate for one believer may be entirely inappropriate for another in a different context. Each individual Christian must diligently, prayerfully, and humbly seek God’s will concerning their specific circumstances (see Romans 14:23).