A bill rolling back the “duty to retreat before using force” fails to pass the Minnesota House. The bill needed 68 votes to pass and it failed 67-65.
ENGAGE: Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention, joined with Protect Minnesota and Moms Demand Action to oppose the bill. Susie Kaufman, Chapter Leader for Moms, said the legislation promotes “dangerous vigilantism. . . . [The bill] allows people to shoot first and ask questions later.”
The partisan divide was evident. Democrats were united in opposition and the Republicans were united in support. Furthermore, the moral and philosophical divide was clear. Republicans cling to the “letter” of the Second Amendment that the “right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”, forgetting the first half of the amendment which states, “A well regulated militia, being necessary for the security of a free state. . . . .” The Democrats on the other hand, consider the whole of the amendment, as well as the spirit of the Preamble of the Constitution: “We the people. . . . , ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare . . . .” Nowhere do the Democrats categorically oppose gun ownership. Rightly focused gun safety laws save lives. We must be honest, the United States leads all Western Developed Nations by wide margins in rate of gun violence. Minnesota and the United States can and must do better to protect our citizens while allowing for safe gun ownership and use.
As Christians, the foundational ethic of Jesus is nonviolent love. Ands as ELCA Lutherans, we are baptized and bound by the promises within the Affirmation of Baptism: ” . . .to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for peace and justice in all the earth.” Rightly focused political action lends obedience and integrity to these promises.