Citation

Stagnaro C. J. Firearms Public Policy 2003; 15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Second Amendment Foundation)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many Christians believe that the faith in Jesus is incompatible with the use of lethal force, either for defensive or aggressive purposes. They also claim war is always wrong, and peace is a value in itself. Generally speaking, they condemn any form of reaction to aggression, both in the private (self defense) and the public (just war) sector. They also would make the use of guns by private citizens illegal, and usually support any form of gun control or even a ban on privately owned handguns. Finally, they believe guns are evil in themselves, no matter who the owner is, what her or his intentions are, and why she or he owns a gun.

In this Article I address the question of whether a Christian has the moral right to keep and bear arms and to use them for self defense. First of all, I briefly examine the Scriptures in order to find God's and Christ's statements concerning weapons. Then, I look at the Christian tradition, especially Roman Catholic tradition.

I do not make any utilitarian argument. My goal is not to show that freedom to own guns, as opposed to gun control, works. Rather, I make a moral case for private gun ownership.