Statistics estimate that there are more than 300 million guns in the US, which translates to about one gun per person. 90 people are killed by guns daily with more than twice the number injured. It may not be possible to eliminate all injuries and deaths by guns but it is possible to reduce their numbers by stricter gun laws. Guns are strongly connected to violent crimes (especially domestic crime). The laws regulating gun ownership are in some way lax, contributing to the high rates of firearm homicide that are reported. The current rate of homicide in countries with loose gun control laws such as America is 3.4. It can be contrasted with a rate of 1.8 in countries with strict gun laws. If these laws are implemented, it is possible to save 10,000 lives every year from gun deaths. As Christians we should be concerned about this, since in Gen 9: 5-6, God says he will require from every man the account of the life of fellow man. We should therefore seek to promote laws and policies that ensure our survival of our brothers.
Gun laws have proven to be effective. These laws have a series of checks in place, such as mental evaluation for potential gun owners; gun licensing; a waiting period when buying guns; restriction on the kinds of guns that can be owned and gun cabinets for storage. These laws aim to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands by using a variety of tactics. It is our duty as Christians to ensure that those who are mentally troubled, or who sympathize with terrorist activities are kept away from guns to prevent the occurrence of gun related deaths. These regulations have been effective in reducing gun deaths especially due to mass shootings. Australia introduced gun control laws in 1996, and since then there has only been one mass shooting as compared to 14 mass shootings between 1981- 1996 before the introduction of the regulations. Research has shown that states with restrictive gun laws have a 42% reduction in fatalities as compared to those with lax laws.
Most of those opposed to gun control cite the Second Amendment which states and individuals right to keep and bear arms. However, there are limits to our rights, especially by ensuring that by exercising them, no harm will befall others. The right to own firearms is not absolute, and the individual should meet the laid down conditions, such as passing a skills test and submitting to a background and mental health check. This is to ensure that everyone is responsible for their own gun and they are in a position to use it properly and sensibly.
The discussion on gun control might be unique to our contemporary setting, but the bible has a lot to say about it. It is clear in the bible that Gods heart goes out to those who are downtrodden (James 1:27), like the women, children and the financially poor. God desires that we work towards ensuring justice, peace and compassion in the world, a theme which can be found in Rom 14:7, Isa 4: 10; 32: 15- 18; 60: 17- 18. Gun violence is common in low income areas and in cases of domestic violence against children and women. These alone should be reasons for a believer to support gun control.
In His teachings and in the way He led His life, Jesus was consistently against violence. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to love our enemies (Matt 5: 38-48), while in Luke 9: 51- 56 he forbids the use of violence to advance Gods kingdom. He asks us to accept even being plundered for the sake of the gospel since we know that we have a better and abiding possession (Heb 10: 34). The early believers heeded Christ’s teachings, since it is shown that they did not participate in the violent revolt against Rome, they fled Jerusalem instead. Can you imagine Jesus using a gun if it were available to him? He is our spiritual, moral and intellectual example, and we should be conscious of the implications for us as His followers.
Christians are called to be courageous, not as the world requires us to be by being action heroes, but in weakness and in suffering instead of striking out against a threat as the world does. 2 Cor 12:9 tells us that Gods strength is made perfect in our weakness. Rather than seeking the world’s strength by arming ourselves with worldly weapons, we should allow God to work His strength in us by submitting to the law of the land. When stripped of our guns, we become vulnerable and susceptible to external attacks. Let us not forget that God has said that He will neither leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5) and even when we are weak, He is strong. We might feel that gun control is inconveniencing or burdensome for us. Our great example, Jesus, is the perfect picture of someone who was willing to endure burdens for our sake. Many innocent people have lost their lives and they lie in graves, never to return, due to the actions of a few wayward members of the society. Nothing can restore them, but nations with gun restrictions show that something can be done to prevent similar losses in future. Romans 13 tells us that the government bears the sword so as to carry out judgement on wrongdoers. This is the duty of the authority in place, not the Christians. Our duty is to pray for our leaders and our nation (1 Tim 2:1- 4) because this is good and pleasing to God who desires that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.