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Gun ownership is not a debate, Americans have the right to carry guns. But safety and responsible ownership go along with that right. In a country where there are more guns owned by Christians than there are people, Christians are uniquely positioned to support common sense policies that make gun ownership responsible and safe. That’s about the sanctity of life.
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]. If you’re going to solve a problem with violence then expect violence directed back at you. Arguing that the Prince of Peace would have encouraged owning weapons is not a compelling argument for gun ownership. To be Christian is to own Jesus’ teachings of courageous non-violence.
So it does seem ironic that white evangelicals are more likely than any other faith group (or the average U.S. citizen) to own a gun (41% vs 30%.) There’s a cynical reason for this high gun ownership. Gun manufacturers sell fear, and target a “savior complex” deeply embedded in the American Christian psyche. “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, supports 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. 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. Since Christians own more guns than everyone else (the majority are white evangelicals,) are Christians playing God when we place guns above the lives guns take, by fighting basic safety reforms?
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. So think about this modern twist: When Christian gun advocates use scripture against common sense gun safety reforms, like background checks and bump stocks, they become a reason for Jesus’ warning of impending violence.
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