Gun Control

This is my first blog post in quite some time so I apologize in advance for my rustiness. The hot topic these days seem to be gun control. This controversial issue has been around for decades but some sort of mixture of gasoline and jet fuel has been added to the fire by the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. I have tried to keep my opinion silent due to the controversial nature of the subject but am now ready to share my views. The Sandy Hook shooting is something that, as a human being and a parent, just cannot understand. To massacre innocent adults, much less children, is beyond me. I am appalled at what this young man has done. I do however want to throw out there that I do not wish the man into Hell. He has committed a travesty but he is still another soul that Jesus died for. As a Christian I am called to love all people. So having said that, here is my view on gun control. Does a hunter need a rifle that holds 30 rounds to bring down a whitetail deer? No. Do you or I need a weapon that holds 30 rounds to protect our homes? Unless your last name is Capone or Madoff, probably not. I am of the opinion that a 12 gauge double-barrel shotgun with 6 shells will most likely protect you and your family from an intruder. However my opinion on the matter is not the be all end all. What I think is right is how my family and I conduct ourselves. It is not up to me to fore my will on you. If you or I felt that we wanted or needed an assault weapon to protect us then the government should not say that we can't. I don't want to live in a country where the government tells you what you do or do not need. Do I need an assault rifle? No. Does a Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro need a V8 that cranks out over 300 horsepower? Nope. It's the same concept though. A gun or a high speed vehicle, if not operated properly and responsibly, can take and has taken lives. Is it the gun or the vehicle's fault? No, but you don't hear the government blaming the car when a reckless driver kills another innocent driver. I am all for stricter laws about obtaining guns. I think that if you want to obtain a handgun or a high powered weapon then you should go through a screening process. Will this eliminate gun violence? Absolutely not! The Sandy Hook shooter stole his mother's legal weapon. There will always be people with guns who have bad intentions. It's just like drugs. Cocaine, marijuana, Heroin, etc are all illegal but are easily accessible on any inner city street corner. People need to be educated about guns before ownership just like with operating a motor vehicle. In my opinion the bottom line is this: there will always be guns. We cannot go back and take them away. According to the Second Amendment the Government cannot take firearms away but things are moving in a direction that could really strain that portion of the constitution. At the end of the day I live under one authority; Jesus Christ. He is my God, Lord, Rock, and Salvation. If the government decides to ban guns then we as Christians have to accept that and follow the law. According to the Bible we are to live in submission to the law because God placed over us the rulers that we have. "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Romans 13:1-7 NIV Unless the government is mandating that we bow before another god or issues laws that do not line up with the law of Christ we must submit to them. We have a unique situation in America; we can elect our leaders. If you don't want your freedoms taken away then vote for someone who believes the same way you do. I won't get into that because it's another issue entirely. Comments are welcome and debate is expected but please keep it clean and civil. In Christ, Jimmy