Faith, Food and Firearms (A Biblical case for Sensible Gun Regulations)

AlexB23 said:

Hello folks. This devotional will cover how weapons for hunting food are perfectly okay to own as a Christian, as long as people are responsible with them. I do not hunt or own guns myself, but it is a good hobby for those who are not squeamish with blood and want to provide food for the family or community.

Date​	June 2, 2024 | Faith, Food & Firearms​
Verse​	Romans 2:19 (NIV): "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord." Ecclesiastes 9:18 (NIV): "Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good." Genesis 27:2-4 (NIV): "Isaac said, ‘I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.’"​
Explanation​	The three passages touch on different themes but can be connected through the idea of using tools responsibly. In Romans 2:19, Paul urges the readers not to take revenge into their own hands but to leave room for God's wrath. This passage emphasizes the importance of not misusing power and violence. Instead, trusting in God's justice and seeking peace is a wiser and more responsible response. Ecclesiastes 9:18 highlights the value of wisdom over the use of weapons of war. This passage suggests that using tools, such as weapons, should be done wisely and with consideration for the greater good. One sinner's destructive actions can undo much good, emphasizing the importance of being mindful and responsible in how we use our tools. Genesis 27:2-4 illustrates the responsible use of tools for sustenance and the importance of respecting the natural order. Isaac, recognizing his mortality, requests game and food from his son, Esau, as a means of providing for him before he dies. This passage shows the importance of using tools, such as hunting, for their intended purpose: providing sustenance and nurturing relationships. Jesus' words in Matthew 26:52, "Put your sword back in its place," reiterate the importance of not misusing power and violence. Jesus teaches his followers to seek peace and love, rather than relying on weapons or violence to resolve conflicts.​
Societal Relevance​	As Christians, we can promote fair gun control laws by advocating for reasonable regulations that protect innocent civilians while also respecting the rights of hunters and sport shooters the freedom to put food on the table, similar to the laws in Germany. This can include supporting laws that prohibit military-grade weaponry from being accessible to civilians, as well as measures that promote mental health screenings/support and background checks for gun purchases. We can also engage in open and respectful dialogue with our elected officials, faith communities, and safety groups to educate ourselves about the complex issues surrounding gun control to build a safer society. This approach emphasizes the importance of using tools responsibly and for their intended purposes, rather than allowing them to be misused or cause harm. Ultimately, our actions should be guided by the principles of love, wisdom, and obedience to God's will. My parents and I do not hunt or own any guns, as we prefer not going through the hassle of skinning a deer, and storing large quantities of meat, but we used to have neighbors which hunted responsibly. The neighbors used the pheasants for family dinners on special occasions, and the deer for meat over the winters. Most hunters typically use a 0.22 caliber (5.56 mm metric) for smaller game, while using a 0.270-0.308 caliber (6.8-7.62 mm metric) for deer. An AK-47 or 50 caliber is overkill for a deer and would shred the meat into nonviable bits, so most hunters do not prefer to own military-grade weapons. According to PennLive, in March 2017, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners (PGC) surveyed hunters, and determined that only a mere 28% of hunters (hunting-license buyers) supported legalizing semiautomatics for big game hunting. The majority of people who hunt in Pennsylvania are concerned for the safety of others, and prefer guns that do not turn the meat into a mess. Dale Schneck, of Heckscherville had this to say about semi-autos: "Wait for your shot, tale your time to make it a clean shot, and there is absolutely no need for a semi-auto for big game. Too many poor shots spraying bullets already." In summary, we are called to be careful with the tools that are given to us, and we must try to uphold the Christian values of protecting lives, while at the same time allowing freedom to those who use tools responsibly, hopefully preventing the mass shootings many families and children have to deal with in the USA.​

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