THE REALITY:
There are four reasons why people buy guns:
F stands for FEAR. WE fear someone will attack us. We must be able to protect ourselves, family and others from possible harm. Nations form armies and develop various forms of weapons to defend themselves to defend and prevent attack. Arming ourselves personally and nationally lessens our fear. Insecurity leads to fear.
E stand for ENJOYMENT. Many people like to hunt and target shoot, Many like shooting in competition.
A stands for ANGER. Many feel persecuted and want to blame others. The “other” has harmed us, oppressed us, and so we act out of revenge. No one is going to threaten or harm us again.
R stands for RIGHTS. The Second Amendment to the Constitution gives permission for gun ownership, saying: “. . . the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Yet, there is confusion. The amendment begins by stating: “A well regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free state . . . .” The Founders opened the door to justify BOTH national and personal gun rights.
THE RESPONSE
THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION: “We the people” is the profoundly foundational credo of the United States of America. NOT “I the individual”. Then comes “a more perfect union”. Union happens when people can exercise freedom, have equal opportunity, equal rights, and an adequate economic foundation. “Establish justice” means the rule of law for ALL people: rich, middle and poor, of diverse cultures and races. “Ensure domestic tranquility” means the rule of law for ALL people: rich, middle and poor, of diverse cultures and races. “Ensure domestic tranquility” happens when people of all classes are treated with fairness. “Provide for the common welfare” means we take care of each other so that all can survive and thrive according to their ambition, talent and ability. “Secure the blessings of liberty” is meant for ALL. Freedom of an inquiring, critical and affirming press is vital for debate, problem solving and improving society. What follows are the amendments to further codify individual rights and establish three equal branches of government: Judicial, Legislative and Presidential. All branches are vital and equal in authority serving as checks and balances. This is what democracy looks like: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” No dictatorship, no authoritarianism, no fascism. The people are in this democracy for ourselves AND for each other.
REVERENCE FOR LIFE: Dr. Albert Schweitzer was on a river boat in Africa. As the boat was rounding a curve near the village of Lamborene, a revelation. surfaced: “Reverence for life”. This revelation was consistent with his sentinel book: THE QUEST FOR THE HISTORICAL JESUS. There is a wedding between “reverence for life” and the Truth of Jesus. This wedding can be realized in the twin Truths of LAW and GOSPEL.
LAW: Holy Scripture gives us the Ten Commandments. They are the ethical foundation for faithful living in the real world. They provide a framework for designing legal norms within society and one’s personal life. Not everything is allowed. Law gives liberty and limits. The Law guides. the Law is a fence and an open prairie.
GOSPEL: Jesus Christ is God’s Grace in the world, in the flesh. God’s grace is God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s justice, God’s forgiveness, God’s peace, God’s call to discipleship and obedience to God’s Will. Scripture and Jesus never say: It’s OK to do anything you want, whenever you want, however you want. The liberty and parameter is love, is Reverence for Life.
Reverence for Life is united with Law and Gospel. We are given guidance and wisdom, permissions and limits, freedoms and forgiveness, grace and faith. Why, that by the grace of God we may love, do justice, be kind, and make for peace, serve others, do what is Good, frequently falling short, constantly in need of repentance and change, and freed to press on towards doing God’s Will in Christ.
UNITING REALITY AND RESPONSE: Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: “We cannot experience the reality of God without the reality of the world, nor the reality of the world without the reality of God.” RESPONSE limits and guides REALITY. RESPONSE frees and calls us to set limits and open permissions. RESPONSE demands acknowledgement of human brokenness and imperfect choices. RESPONSE guides us to create a socio-political Reverence for Life. RESPONSE sets parameters of law with liberties and limits. RESPONSE balances individual rights and community rights. As we are given the Ten Commandments for faithful and loving responsible living, so there need be laws for loving g and responsible gun use. Love is combined with laws.
GUNS AND CLARITY: the presence of guns is a reality. Guns are to be an instrument for sport, pleasure, protection, domestic order and national and international justice and peace. The REALITIES of life create justifiable times and places for guns. But the REALITY of guns needs to be balanced by the RESPONSE of love as found in Jesus Christ and the Constitution. Not everything is allowed. Limits and wisdom to know the difference are demanded so LOVE. can happen for ALL. The FOUR REALITIES are enlightened and tempered by the RESPONSES. Individual rights are balanced with community rights for the life-good of ALL. Rightly-focused laws limit and permit. Society without love-laws descends into chaos. Society with love-laws nurture lie for ALL.
IN THIS IS CLARITY.