“How should a Christian view gun control?”……The recent shootings across the United States have caused much heartache. The senseless and tragic incidents have also renewed the intensity of discussion regarding American gun laws. Politicians, sportsmen, and theologians have all weighed in on the issue of gun control. Guns are readily available in the U.S. and here in Souyh Africa, and ownership is protected by the Constitution. How should a Christian view gun control? What does the Bible have to say that would apply to gun control?……The Bible was written long before the invention of any type of gun, so the phrase "gun control" will not be found in Scripture. However, the Bible records many accounts of wars, battles, and the use of weapons. Warfare is presented as an inevitable part of living in a fallen world

Mark 13:7

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.

James 4:1

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you?

and weaponry is a necessary part of warfare. Weapons in the Bible were also used for personal protection. In some parts of Israel, robbers were common Luke 10:30

Jesus replied with a story: "A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road

many people carried weapons when they traveled. Carrying a weapon for self-defense is never condemned in the Bible. In fact, it was mentioned in a positive light by Jesus Himself on one occasion …Luke 22:35-38…Then Jesus asked them,"When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler's bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?""No," they replied. "But now," he said, "take your money and a traveler's bag. And if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: 'He was counted among the rebels.'(Luke 22:37Isa 53:12). Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.""Look, Lord," they replied, "we have two swords among us." "That's enough," he said.

Christians are called to submit to governing authorities, and they are to obey the laws of the land

Romans 13:1-7…Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God's servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God's servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.…1 Peter 2:13-17…For the Lord's sake, respect all human authority-whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

This would have to apply to gun laws, too. If American gun laws change, American Christians should submit to these changes and work through democratic means toward any desired alternatives. The Bible does not forbid the possession of weapons, and neither does it command such possession. Laws may come and go, but the goal of the believer in Jesus Christ remains the same: to glorify the Lord

1 Corinthians 10:31…So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Another biblical principle to consider is that…Matthew 26:52…"Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword.

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" …Matthew 26:47…And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.

but his rash behavior also belied Jesus' submissive attitude

Matthew 26:50 …Jesus said, "My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for."Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

and worked against the fulfillment of Scripture …Matthew 26:53-54

Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands[a] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?"verse 54).

There is "a time for war and a time for peace"…Ecclesiastes 3:8

A time to love and a time to hate.A time for war and a time for peace.

and Peter confused the two.…Christianity supports personal freedom.…Romans 14:1-4

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval.

When Scripture does not clearly address a particular issue, there is freedom for individual choice. Our Country 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…God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

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 arguments, not moral ones. This is not to say that there is no moral component to the issue. Obviously, the gun itself is amoral, an object that can be used for good or for evil. More important is the morality of the person wielding the gun, and that is too often the missing consideration in the gun control argument. The fact that some sinners use guns to commit sin does not mean guns are the problem. Sin is the problem, and that's a moral and spiritual issue. Since the very beginning of humanity, people have been killing other people, with and without weapons (see Genesis 4). Taking a certain weapon out of circulation might make murder more difficult but by no means impossible.…As far as the Bible is concerned, the use of guns is a matter of personal conviction. There is nothing unspiritual about owning a gun or knowing how to use one. There is nothing wrong with protecting oneself or loved ones, even if it involves the use of weapons.

We need not pretend there is never a need for guns, but pointing a gun at a person should always be a last resort. We should seek to neutralize threats without violence whenever possible.…So, how should a Christian view gun control? With the authority God has entrusted to it, the government has the right to allow or disallow gun ownership to whatever degree it deems right. We, as citizens, are called to submit to whatever gun control laws the government institutes. This is not, however, a statement on the wisdom of gun control.

There are good reasons to allow law-abiding citizens to own guns. Ultimately, guns are not the problem. Sinful people are the problem.……Resource: Politics – According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture by Wayne Grudem.