How should a Christian view gun control?

Response

The recent shootings throughout the United States have caused significant distress. The senseless and tragic events have also reignited the debate on American gun regulations. Politicians, athletes, and religious scholars have all shared their opinions on the topic of gun control. Firearms are easily accessible in the U.S., and their ownership is safeguarded by the Constitution. How should a Christian approach the issue of gun control? What guidance does the Bible offer on this matter?

The Bible was written long before the invention of firearms, so the term “gun control” is not mentioned in Scripture. Nevertheless, the Bible recounts numerous accounts of wars, conflicts, and the use of weapons. Warfare is depicted as an unavoidable aspect of life in a sinful world (Mark 13:7;James 4:1), and weapons are deemed essential in warfare. Weapons in biblical times were also utilized for personal defense. In certain regions of Israel, bandits were prevalent as seen in Luke 10:30, prompting many individuals to carry weapons for protection. The act of carrying a weapon for self-defense is not condemned in the Bible; in fact, Jesus Himself spoke positively about it on one occasion (Luke 22:35-38).

Christians are instructed to submit to governing authorities and adhere to the laws of the land (Romans 13:1-7;1 Peter 2:13-17). This principle extends to gun regulations as well. If there are changes in American gun laws, American Christians should comply with these changes and engage in democratic processes to pursue any desired alternatives. The Bible neither prohibits nor mandates the possession of weapons. While laws may evolve, the ultimate aim for believers in Jesus Christ remains unchanged: to bring glory to God.The Lord “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”, (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Another biblical principle to consider is that “all who draw the sword will die by the sword” “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”, (Matthew 26:52). Jesus said this to Peter when Peter tried to mount an imprudent “defense” of Jesus against the mob that had come to arrest Him. Peter’s actions were not only futile against such a “large crowd armed with swords and clubs” (verse 47), but his rash behavior also belied Jesus’ submissive attitude (verse 50) and worked against the fulfillment of Scripture (verse 54). There is “a time for war and a time for peace” “a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”, (Ecclesiastes 3:8), and Peter confused the two.

Christianity supports personal freedom. Romans 14:1-4 indicates that, when Scripture does not clearly address a particular issue, there is freedom for individual choice. America has historically embraced the concept of personal freedom that resonates with this principle, and the founding documents guarantee wide freedoms regarding firearms. Some point to Matthew 5:9, in which Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers, and apply it to the issue of gun control. The idea is that guns are antithetical to peace. This may be more of a philosophical or political idea than a theological one, however. There is nothing theologically, or even logically, that links guns to a lack of peace; sometimes, guns help maintain civil peace.

Debates over whether to control guns or how much to control them depend largely on political and philosophical considerations.Ethical arguments, not moral ones, are crucial in the discussion of gun control. While the gun itself is morally neutral, capable of both good and evil, the morality of the individual using it is paramount. Unfortunately, this aspect is often overlooked in the debate. The misuse of guns by some individuals does not indict guns as the root issue; rather, it is sin that lies at the heart of the matter, making it a moral and spiritual dilemma. Throughout history, people have resorted to violence against one another, with or without weapons (refer to Genesis 4). While restricting access to certain weapons may hinder acts of violence, it does not eradicate them entirely.

From a biblical perspective, the decision to own and use guns is a matter of personal conviction. There is no inherent spiritual fault in possessing or being skilled in the use of firearms. Defending oneself and loved ones, even with weapons, is not inherently sinful. While acknowledging the necessity of guns in certain situations, resorting to aiming a gun at another person should always be a last resort. Every effort should be made to defuse threats peacefully whenever feasible.

How, then, should a Christian approach the topic of gun control? Recognizing the authority vested in it by God, the government has the prerogative to regulate gun ownership as it deems appropriate. As law-abiding citizens, we are called to comply with the gun control measures enacted by the government. However, this compliance does not necessarily imply an endorsement of the wisdom behind such regulations. There are valid arguments for allowing responsible individuals to possess guns. Ultimately, the core issue does not lie with guns themselves but with the sinful nature of individuals.