A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The first argument I too often hear about the second amendment is that the founders did not know or foresee the technological advancements we would enjoy in the future. To this argument I would counter with a challenge to read up on the history of firearms and the Revolutionary War Era. The most common muskets and rifles of that time period discharged a .70 caliber ball while any cartridge above .50 caliber is banned in the present day Untied States. As for automatic weaponry, men who fought in the Revolutionary War most definitely would have seen advancements in firearms such as the belton flintlock capable of firing around 20 rounds in 5 seconds with a single pull of the trigger. There was also the girandoni rifle that could fire a 22 round magazine in under 30 seconds with great accuracy; this rifle was used by none other than the famous Lewis and Clarke expedition, which was outfitted by Thomas Jefferson. So, to somehow claim that the very men who ignited the flame of liberty for America somehow did not know that guns would be improved upon throughout the years becoming more deadly and accurate, I think, is quite an insult to those men.
But wait, you might be thinking, would a Christian advocate for people to have weapons knowing that Christ was a peaceful man? To that I would point you to the Psalmist who praised skillful weapon use (Psalm 144:1, 18:34) noting that it was good that a man knew how to properly protect and fend for himself. Ah, but that’s the Old Testament, what would Jesus say, as for some reason people seem to ignore everything about the Son of God aside from his more peaceful quotes I would direct you to read the following:
Luke 22:35-39
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
In those verses, Jesus directs and commends his disciples for carrying protection while telling his followers that any man with no protection should sell off some of his wealth, if he has any, to obtain a sword. That in no way made Christ a barbarian, as we know He quoted and lived by scripture. Christ would have seen the sword as a means of defense only, and only as a last resort since He taught forgiveness and love first and above all else.
In fact, Jesus, when faced with what He knew to be certain death at the hands of less than reputable people, still stood and rebuked Simon Peter for attacking his captors:
John 18:10-11
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
That was not only because He knew the plan that the Father had set out before Him but also because God commands His children to submit to authority placed above them. Be it the Hebrews under the captivity of the Egyptians or a modern man under what he views as a terrible president; the Word remains unchanged:
Romans 13:1-8
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
No matter how bad a leader is or seems to be, know that God can use any person or any situation for the benefit of those who have faith. But, that does not negate that we are commanded to “deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:4).” It all rests in HOW a person seeks to help others. If you charge with sword and lop off the ear of the unjust, you will be chided by God as will the unjust. However, if you do as Christ did with His life, using words over weapons to effect change, you may or may not succeed in the eyes of man, but in the eyes of God, the victory will be won.
We are called to keep a vigilant eye on our family and our community. That means not only knowing what your kids are watching on tv but also to be knowledgeable of what is happening in your city, state and country. Too often Christians will say that we are to be separate from this world, and while that is a command of our spirits we are also told to stand guard for our fellow citizens and all of humanity:
Ezekiel 33:6
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
If an honest person were to look at that, they would clearly see a call to not only defend your home but to defend your country and, as unpopular as it may be, to defend your borders. With all of the terrorist attacks, school shootings and utterly disgusting behavior of people on both sides of our political spectrum we must watch for the coming sword as God clearly says those who saw it coming and said nothing are just as guilty as the man carrying the sword. That means every teacher who sees a student struggling with depression or bullying, God demands you step in before it turns violent. I contend that many school shootings and violence in schools could be avoided by a combination of love and firm discipline coupled with education and empathy. That means when you see a friend or fellow Republican or Democrat call someone unpatriotic or accuse them of bigotry solely based on who they voted for, the Lord expects you to intercede on behalf of the one being shamed. You’re more likely to sway a person with words than you are with threats, attacks and drowning out their voice. Who knows, they may very well persuade you, if we took the time to listen to one another and realize that, despite our vision of the road towards prosperity we have the same designation in mind. That means when you read the stories of children separated from families at the border you pray for that family while balancing that, just as God commands His children to submit to the law of the land, He also commands us to protect our homes and to encourage others to follow those laws in order that we all might be safe. Try to remember that, although it is heartbreaking to see a child separated from their families, the same politicians who tug at your heartstrings for votes with these stories have often spent years if not decades in power, only bringing issues to the forefront when it is politically expedient. Bear in mind that a child is almost always taken from a parent when a law, deemed worthy of such action, is broken. That stands for citizens and non-citizens.
If we feel a law is unjust, we can push for change and if we see a miscarriage of justice we can rectify that situation through peaceful, biblical means. We cannot break laws simply because they hurt our hearts. We have to stand on consistent principles and ideals. For me, I find those guiding principles in my relationship with Christ and I know this was long winded but this is the first reason I feel I must take a stand, however small it may seem, and remove myself from this platform. Ultimately, I feel the best defense is not an automatic or semi-automatic rifle or such weapon, my best weapon in this current war is the Word itself.
Psalm 44:6-7
6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
The Sword & Shield 