Guns, Killing, Murder and Revenge
June 24th, 2009Law abiding gun owners are often demonized as killers for wanting to own a firearm. I’ve seen the puzzled look on faces of those that wonder why anyone “good” would want a gun nowadays. A poor Christians really get the evil eye when they profess that they are gun owners and participate in the shooting sports. I’d like to share a few thoughts about this subject and provide some references to the Bible for those so inclined to debate it since perceptions are reality to most people. We have to start off with definitions first. According to the online dictionary.com:
• Murder- the killing of another human being under conditions specifically covered in law.
• Kill- to deprive of life in any manner; cause the death of; slay.
• Gun- a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive; a piece of ordnance.
Murder and “kill” are synonyms. They are words that nearly have the same meaning. If you were murdered or killed the result would be the same, you would be dead. It is the application that is different. You could be killed by accident. You could be killed by a virus. You would be murdered if a robber came into your house or your car and took your life. It is unlawful to murder. Killing on the other hand can be legal and still wrong. The taking of life of any kind is debatable, questionable and controversial.
Guns are mechanical devices designed to fire projectiles by the force of a controlled explosion. People that own guns or have a desire to own guns are not inherently dealers of death, miscreants, or killers. The reason to own a gun vary as much as the reason not to own one. Guns do not possess the power to operate on their own volition. Guns do not equate to murder.
Just as a car can be used to race, to show, or to save a life, so is it with a firearm. A car can also be used to murder someone or to unintentionally kill them. Guns are also like this. Too many of us have adopted the wrong mentality about this subject and allowed it to be a scapegoat for the actions of the person wielding it.
Some gun owners compete with firearms. They modify or buy them for that purpose. Others collect military style or historical pieces dependent upon their taste. Yet, there are others that buy a gun for recreation, with the added benefit that the gun may also be used for self defense.
The law of God and the laws of man recognize the value and the protection of human life. Self defense is not a crime but must be proven in a court of law and public opinion. Every living thing has a protective mechanism. On the contrary revenge is not. Revenge is never acceptable. Retaliation is frowned upon both biblically and socially.
Murder wasn’t invented when handguns arrived. It existed when mankind began to think of himself more than others. Guns have provided mankind with a more powerful tool for war and defense than the rock that Cain used to murder his brother or the sword of Roman army used to conquer most of the civilized world at that time. But yet, there are active organizations, and good willed people that believe that the removal of a device will stop evil, hate, and crime. You cannot legislate crazy.
Exodus 20 and following In His holy Law, which God decreed at Mt. Sinai, nowhere do you see God outlawing weapons in regards to the various crimes which He prohibited in His legislation. He always punishes the perpetrator. He never disarms the people.
The law of Moses, written in Exodus 20:13 says in the King James Version of Elizabethan English “Thou Shall Not Kill.” This would be translated into you will not murder. I say this because killing a robber found in your home at night (Exodus 22:2), and killing enemies of the Lord are found in the Bible. I know this is not the image of God many subscribe to but whenever God is referred to as the Lord of Host, He is kicking butt.
The psalmist who said in verse one of Psalm 144 “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle” . I like that. Not all of us are farmers. Not all of us are office workers. Some of us are trained for war. It is not a negative either. All of us have skills and talents that are for the betterment of society. Someone has to protect, hunt, and secure. We should not excommunicate those gifted that way. We all have a purpose.
In the Old Testament book of I Samuel 13:19-22 The Philistines disarmed the Israelites. I doubt if the Philistines used the phrase “if one child could be saved.” Weapon-control was instituted and not even the blacksmiths were allowed lest the Israelites might fashion new weapons with their help. A disarmed people is the sign of a conquered people. Only people used to being in control of their life understand freedom. Slaves cannot own guns. If you have never been in control of your life, then you will submit to laws to take away freedom you don’t exercise. I understand the fears of some people but it is still wrong. What makes this country superior in its make up is it created an amendment in its constitution that gave the private citizen the right to own a firearm thereby recognizing the right of the individual to live free. A government that allows its people to be able to defend themselves is for the people. It is an insurance policy against totalitarian, dictatorship and sovereign rule. Its not just a cliché, its true, a armed society is a polite society.
I believe one of the reasons for gun control is actually just “people control” proven historically by the “Black Codes.” These racist laws were instituted in America from fear of retaliation from former slaves. Though slaver owners deserved punishment the Bible clearly says that vengeance is not ours to dish out. It is also a fact that more restrictive gun laws are also where there are more people of color in the United States. For a strange wrinkle in the whole saga, people of color are the ones that allow these racist conditions to perpetuate, often parroting the cry for more gun control, less freedom and more government interaction. “and the children of Israel murmured against Moses…”
Even in events where it allows us to defend ourselves, the law always requires us to stop when the aggression is over. The law of man is the same. In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus is not denigrating the Law of God in regards to one’s right to defend himself and others, rather He is repudiating the lex talionis – the law of retaliation, which said, “if someone messes you up today, you go back and mess him up five times worse tomorrow.” The Pharisees were even using the Law of God to justify this mindset. Jesus is renouncing this personal vengeance which some sought to justify and participate in. He did not saying we cannot defend ourselves or others.
Vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 20:22). We are not to avenge ourselves. If we see someone who needs our help during the commission of a crime, we have a right and duty to intervene. If however, the crime has been committed (past tense), we have no God-given right or duty to go and execute judgment upon the perpetrator. God will avenge. God will judge.
Having a firearm gives you a choice and chance to engage. It gives you more options. It is not about superiority, penis envy or many of the other flagrantly wrong attributions to why we want to own guns. A gun in self defense helps. In all fairness, having a gun and actually using it doesn’t mean that all will be well. Criminals with altered states of consciousness that are hopped up on drugs and or alcohol may be almost impervious to the trauma that a bullet may cause initially. There are no magic bullets. A gun is not a talisman against all evil men can do. It just helps. It is a tool that better equips the user to stop the aggression or hostile act. Some times the shot causes death, sometimes it doesn’t.
Gun ownership in the United States is a unique right and privilege envied by most of the world. It is not fully understood even among the elite that have always been protected. It is uniquely American. It is a symbol of freedom. It is not to be feared nor extinguished. It does not conflict with the religious beliefs of Christians seeking to if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.(Romans 12:18). Owning a gun does not promote murder. However, let it be known that ignorance kills.
