At his arrest, when Peter pulled a weapon to fend off the guards, Jesus condemned Peter’s violence saying, “All who take the sword will perish by the sword.” [Matthew 26:52]. Arguing that the Prince of Peace would have encouraged owning weapons is not a compelling argument for gun ownership.
That said, Americans have the right to carry guns. But to be Christian is to also own Jesus’ teachings of courageous non-violence. In a country where gun violence is a daily occurrence and our children have gun drills in kindergarten, we have a uniquely American and Christians problem. As the leading owners of guns, Christians have a unique obligation and opportunity to make our country safer with common sense gun reforms.
It seems ironic that white evangelicals who have pledged their lives to Jesus, are more likely than any other faith group (or the average U.S. citizen) to own a gun (41% vs 30%.) There are some cynical reasons for this high percentage ownership. Gun proponents target a “savior complex” deeply embedded in the American Christian psyche. They sell fear of violence, societal breakdown, and persecution, which leads some to view gun ownership as a necessary form of protection. Gun ownership is also often linked to other conservative political views. “Christians must continue to take an interest in this issue,” Sojourners insightfully notes, “Because the gun lobby has already taken an interest in Christians.”
Jesus, with a warrior-like image and biblical prophecies, supported gun ownership. Luke 22:36 in particular is often quoted: “The one with a purse should take it, and likewise a bag; and the one without a sword should sell his cloak and buy one.” Likewise, Matthew 10:34 says: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
The U.S. has more guns than people—393 million—and a higher rate of gun violence than any other high-income country in the world. Gun homicides are 26 times higher in the U.S. than any other high-income country and 44% of U.S. adults say they personally know someone who has been shot, either accidentally or intentionally.
Jesus famously spoke in metaphors, and these Biblical prophecies cited by gun extremists acknowledge a violence that proved all too true. Jesus prophesied that he and his followers would not be welcomed with their gospel and forewarned that wherever they were invited to preach, they would meet adversaries and danger.
Today’s violence comes from guns. If more guns made us safer, the U.S. would be the safest country on Earth. Instead, gun violence, gun suicides, and school shootings that steal the lives of innocent children are uniquely American events.
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