There are so many things we as Christians need to address, but we don’t in most cases. Yet the impact and consequences are something we cannot ignore, and the topic of guns is one of them.
The Bible does not directly address gun ownership, so it may seem like we’re not called to address this, but we are. You see, the problem is that life is spiritual. The problems we have with murders, mass shootings, and the like are not going to be solved by strict gun laws alone. Even without weapons, we are capable of committing murder. In fact, some of the most horrific crimes were committed by people who never owned guns.
Besides, weapons of mass destruction are not made of metal, nor are they nuclear bombs. It’s not a bomb that causes somebody to hate.
Weapons of mass destruction are found in the heart of man.
The Bible tells us that the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things, who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9):
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? - Jeremiah 17:9 AMPC
So just like the Rapture and date-setting fiasco, I want to challenge you that maybe we’re focusing on the wrong things. Let us focus on the main problem: the human heart without God. To that person, anything becomes a weapon of mass destruction.
Should People Own Guns?
Let’s take a step back and talk about gun ownership. Should people own guns? The simple and straightforward answer is yes. People should be allowed to own guns. In a seemingly perfect world, we wouldn’t need them, but in this broken world, we need them.
Should Christians Own Guns?
I honestly don’t know. I would say no, at least for myself. I wouldn’t want to own one because of the temptation it brings. My safety and protection is in God. I have always believed no gun can protect me, as long as someone can still shoot me down, then it cannot save me. The Bible clearly warns us against depending on or finding safety in earthly things, like chariots and horses, which are equivalent to our weapons today (Psalm 20:7).
The Need for Balanced Gun Laws
Back to owning guns, I do believe we ought to have strict gun laws, but they should be just and balanced, not favoring one color or background over another. Justice should be blind, as the Bible teaches us in Leviticus 19:15:
"You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor."
Here’s what I believe reasonable gun regulations should include:
Age Restrictions and Maturity Requirements:
Anyone under 18 should not be allowed to purchase a gun. The human brain doesn’t fully develop until around 25, particularly the parts responsible for decision-making and impulse control. We don’t let teenagers drink alcohol or rent cars, why would we hand them deadly weapons? Even at 18, there should be additional requirements like parental consent or extended waiting periods for first-time buyers.
Comprehensive Background Checks:
Every gun sale should require a thorough background check, including private sales and gun shows. This isn’t about taking away rights, it’s about responsibility. If you can’t pass a background check, maybe you shouldn’t have access to something designed to take life. The Bible tells us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).
Criminal History and Red Flag Laws:
Anyone with a history of violent crimes, domestic abuse, or threats should be prohibited from gun ownership. The Bible is clear about the connection between anger and murder (Matthew 5:21-22). We should also have red flag laws that allow family members or law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others.
Mental Health Evaluations:
This is tricky territory, but necessary. We need to balance mental health awareness with safety. Someone experiencing severe depression, psychosis, or violent ideation should not have immediate access to firearms. This isn’t about stigmatising mental illness, it’s about protecting both the individual and society. The church should be leading in mental health support, not ignoring it.
Mandatory Safety Training and Education:
If you want to own a gun, you should know how to use it safely. Period. We require driver’s licenses for cars, weapons should require even more rigorous training. This should include proper storage, handling, and understanding of when deadly force might be legally and morally justified. Too many accidental deaths happen because of ignorance.
Waiting Periods for Purchases:
Emotions run high, and decisions made in anger or desperation can be irreversible. A reasonable waiting period gives people time to cool down and think clearly. It won’t stop determined criminals, but it might prevent crimes of passion and impulsive suicides.
Licensing and Registration:
We license and register cars, boats, and even dogs in some places. Firearms should be no different. This helps with accountability and tracking. If your gun is used in a crime, there should be a clear chain of responsibility. This also helps law enforcement solve crimes and return stolen weapons to their rightful owners.
Safe Storage Requirements:
Gun owners should be legally required to store their weapons safely, especially in homes with children. Too many kids have been killed by unsecured firearms. If you’re not responsible enough to properly secure your weapon, you’re not responsible enough to own one.
Regular Renewals and Check-ins:
Just like driver’s licenses, gun licenses should require periodic renewal. People change, circumstances change, and what was safe five years ago might not be safe today. This isn’t harassment, it’s responsible oversight.
Now, let me be crystal clear about something: I sadly would like to remind you that even with all these strict gun laws, there will always be people who will obtain them illegally. The black market doesn’t follow regulations. Criminals don’t line up at gun stores filling out paperwork. This is why our focus on laws alone is misguided.
Behind all this gun violence and death is the devil orchestrating plans to cause havoc and steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Satan doesn’t need guns to accomplish his purposes, he just uses whatever tools are available. In places with strict gun laws, he uses knives, trucks, bombs made from household items, or even bare hands. The weapon isn’t the problem; the heart wielding it is.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Purpose
If we look at why guns were made in the first place, at least most of them – it was to kill humans, not animals. Nuclear bombs were not created for hunting. Assault weapons weren’t designed for home protection. We must face this uncomfortable reality as we discuss this issue.
The gun industry has done a masterful job of rebranding weapons of war as sporting goods and home defense tools. But let’s be honest, when someone walks into a school with an AR-15, they’re not using it for hunting deer. They’re using it for exactly what it was designed to do: efficiently kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time.
This doesn’t mean all guns are evil, but it means we need to be honest about what we’re dealing with. A hunting rifle and a military-style assault weapon serve very different purposes, even if both can be deadly in the wrong hands.
Why Laws Alone Will Never Be Enough
Here’s what the gun control advocates don’t want to admit: criminals don’t follow laws. Here’s what the gun rights advocates don’t want to admit: easy access to weapons makes it easier for evil to accomplish its purposes.
Both sides are partially right and completely wrong. The real issue isn’t the gun, it’s the heart behind the trigger. But that doesn’t mean we should make it easy for evil hearts to access tools of destruction.
Think about it this way: we put locks on our doors not because locks stop all criminals, but because they make it harder for opportunistic ones. We have speed limits not because they stop all reckless drivers, but because they reduce overall harm. Gun laws work the same way, they won’t stop determined killers, but they might stop impulsive ones.
The Church’s Blind Spot
The American church has largely failed to address this issue biblically because we’ve been more influenced by political ideology than by Scripture. We’ve chosen sides based on our political tribe rather than seeking God’s heart on the matter.
Some churches preach that Jesus would carry an AR-15, while others act like owning any weapon makes you a murderer. Both positions are extreme and unbiblical. The truth, as usual, is more nuanced.
Jesus told His disciples to sell their cloak and buy a sword if they didn’t have one (Luke 22:36), but He also rebuked Peter for using that same sword in anger (Matthew 26:52). The Bible allows for self-defense but warns against trusting in weapons for security.
The real question isn’t whether guns are good or evil – they’re tools. The question is: what does love look like in a broken world filled with broken people who have access to deadly tools?
This is Part 1 of 3. In Part 2, we'll dive deeper into the spiritual warfare behind gun violence and examine what Scripture really says about violence, self-defense, and our responsibility to protect the innocent. In Part 3, we'll explore what the church's practical response should be in addressing both the symptoms and the heart of this issue.
John Thole is the voice behind Beyond Salvation, a blog that captures the highs and lows of life through faith, laughter, and honest reflection. With a passion for storytelling, technology, and spiritual growth, he creates content that resonates with seekers, believers, and anyone navigating life’s journey. Whether sharing personal insights, devotionals, or thought-provoking discussions, John aims to inspire, uplift, and spark meaningful conversations.
