Using Firearms to the Glory of God

[Sketcher]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

I'm 100% pro Second Amendment - I believe that the NFA is overreach. I however, believe this is a question every Christian with an expensive hobby needs to answer.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

I'm 100% pro Second Amendment - I believe that the NFA is overreach. I however, believe this is a question every Christian with an expensive hobby needs to answer.

I don't worry about furthering the Kingdom with my shooting hobby, and I never will. I'm simply enjoying something I love doing. Anyone that can say they are shooting for the glory of God is taking things a bit too far.

It's fun, relaxing, and enjoyable......simple as that.

As far as it being an expensive hobby, many of us who've been shooting for a while have found ways to curb the expense......such as reloading our own ammo.

 

[98cwitr]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

I'm 100% pro Second Amendment - I believe that the NFA is overreach. I however, believe this is a question every Christian with an expensive hobby needs to answer.

I have a track car and run it at various circuits in my area. Being more dedicated to the hobby this year, I also purchased a truck and trailer to tow it with. Does my car addiction put enmity between me and God...whereas my hobby is self-serving and self-centered? Probably. I could buy someone else a house for the amount of money I spend on my car hobbies.

 

[GeorgeJ]

I could buy someone else a house for the amount of money I spend on my car hobbies.

Throw some of that $$$ my way so I can spend it on my gun hobbies.

 

[98cwitr]

Throw some of that $$$ my way so I can spend it on my gun hobbies.

We never can have enough ammo can we?

 

[Another Lazarus]

I have a track car and run it at various circuits in my area. Being more dedicated to the hobby this year, I also purchased a truck and trailer to tow it with. Does my car addiction put enmity between me and God...whereas my hobby is self-serving and self-centered? Probably. I could buy someone else a house for the amount of money I spend on my car hobbies.

 

[GeorgeJ]

......?????
Not practical for this forum......

 

[Darkhorse]

If we're addressing the question mainly from an economic point of view, I would recommend reloading for heavy users, and buying cheaper practice ammo for lighter users (like me). Spend more money for defensive ammo to keep in your gun when you're not practicing.

While nothing takes the place of live-fire at a range or wherever, a person can sharpen and maintain their skills to a great degree by dry-firing an empty gun on a frequent basis (assuming your gun can handle it). Most of my sighting skill has been learned this way.

Personally, I don't understand the people who shoot 500 rounds or so in a day at the range. My hands and associated aiming muscles are pretty well tired after 50 rounds of anything larger than .22. I do much better with 25 or 50 rounds every week or month than with 500 at a time. Maybe that's just me.

 

[Tallguy88]

Reload if you shoot expensive ammo.

 

[pescador]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

I'm 100% pro Second Amendment - I believe that the NFA is overreach. I however, believe this is a question every Christian with an expensive hobby needs to answer.

Article 3 of the statement of Purpose reads, in part, "3. No political campaigning. This includes advocating either for or against gun control."

 

[pescador]

I used to shoot both blackpowder and smokeless powder rifles and pistols -- until I had triple bypass surgery in September. Not wanting to lose the ability to shoot I bought some rifles and pistols, mostly CO2 powered. I found the following advantages: 1) they are quiet, 2) they are legal to shoot in my backyard, 3) the report won't bother the neighbors, 4) pellets are very inexpensive to shoot, 5) CO2 guns have zero recoil, 6) they are very accurate up to about 35 yards, 7) most important: the act of shooting focused my mind and definitely improved my post-surgery mental recovery.

I recent bought a break barrel .22 air rifle that has a low enough cocking effort that I can use it without fear of damaging my sternum. It's a fine rifle!

 

[GeorgeJ]

I used to shoot both blackpowder and smokeless powder rifles and pistols -- until I had triple bypass surgery in September. Not wanting to lose the ability to shoot I bought some rifles and pistols, mostly CO2 powered. I found the following advantages: 1) they are quiet, 2) they are legal to shoot in my backyard, 3) the report won't bother the neighbors, 4) pellets are very inexpensive to shoot, 5) CO2 guns have zero recoil, 6) they are very accurate up to about 35 yards, 7) most important: the act of shooting focused my mind and definitely improved my post-surgery mental recovery.

I recent bought a break barrel .22 air rifle that has a low enough cocking effort that I can use it without fear of damaging my sternum. It's a fine rifle!

I use air pistols for IHMSA practice. I started with a CO2 pistol, but found I liked pump pistols better for that application. I've now got a Daisy 717 and Crosman 1377. Both are very accurate for my needs.

 

[Darkhorse]

I used to shoot both blackpowder and smokeless powder rifles and pistols -- until I had triple bypass surgery in September. Not wanting to lose the ability to shoot I bought some rifles and pistols, mostly CO2 powered.

How does having bypass surgery affect your ability to shoot firearms?

 

[pescador]

I use air pistols for IHMSA practice. I started with a CO2 pistol, but found I liked pump pistols better for that application. I've now got a Daisy 717 and Crosman 1377. Both are very accurate for my needs.

Plus, they work consistently at all temperatures. I also enjoy my 1377, to which I have added a shoulder stock and red dot sight.

 

[pescador]

How does having bypass surgery affect your ability to shoot firearms?

It affects my shooting in two ways. The most obvious one is the recoil of a rifle or shotgun. During the surgery my sternum was split open to get at my heart and arteries, then it was "sewn" back together so that over time the bones would heal. The repair has to be protected for six months, so no recoil from a firearm is allowed. The second one, which was actually a surprise to me, was that my thinking was affected, probably by being under anesthesia for six hours. I was unable to think clearly and my short-term memory suffered. Being a shooter, bypass surgery or not, I continued shooting firearms with no recoil, i.e., CO2 air rifles and pistols. I found that the attention to safety that everyone should have around firearms and the focus required for shooting accurately really helped my mental state. It's has now been six months and, thankfully, both my body and mind have healed. Unfortunately, my shooting hasn't improved. 8^)

 

[marineimaging]

How does having bypass surgery affect your ability to shoot firearms?

Consider this. They tell you not to even strain when going to the toilet. I had to curb mine after the heart surgery and then the post op infection had me cut back open in the chest three more times. They just don't want the recoil, even just one accidental twist or pound, to rip open a stitch because unlike a stitch on your skin you would bleed out into your chest cavity in a couple of minutes and nobody could stop it.

 

[Darkhorse]

That makes sense.

I had bypass surgery several years ago, but nobody told me not to shoot, at least not that I remember.

Fortunately, I didn't.

 

[marineimaging]

That makes sense.

I had bypass surgery several years ago, but nobody told me not to shoot, at least not that I remember.

Fortunately, I didn't.

They didn't say anything to me either. At least, until they told me not to strain when using the toilet and then I asked them if shooting would hurt and the nurse went pale. "NO! No shooting for at least 6-8 weeks. I didn't even think of that."

 

[marineimaging]

Firearms and ammunition are expensive. We are accountable to God for how we use the money he has entrusted to us, and when we became Christians, we gave our whole lives to him. Therefore, what we buy or obtain really belongs to him. How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

I'm 100% pro Second Amendment - I believe that the NFA is overreach. I however, believe this is a question every Christian with an expensive hobby needs to answer.

First of all I find it very clear to understand that our Father in heaven clearly speaks of profit. If what we profit is 100, then what we return is 10 of the best. So, how many must I give for my salvation? Zero, because Jesus already paid the price. Still, how many would I give for my salvation? All, just like Jesus gave, but that is not what our Father in Heaven wanted from us.

What we keep to do with our needs is 90% of what we profited. If I have 500 sheep in the field and this season 100 sheep are newly birthed I give 10 best males to the Lord and keep 90. Next season if I have 20 new sheep I give 2 of the best males to the Lord and keep 18. If the next season only yields one new sheep, I would shear the sheep and sell the wool and give 10 percent of the the proceeds from the sale to the Lord and keep the 90 percent and the sheep. If none of my sheep have died how many do I have in the same season when I sheared the one sheep? I would have 609 sheep in the field. (500+90+18+1) Yet, if the Law were still mandated would I have fulfilled it with giving only 10% of the selling of the wool or should I have given the whole sheep?

 

[frater_domus]

How then, can we make use of our gun-related hobbies to further the Kingdom?

Hunting, if that's up your alley. Personally, I am more of a bow-hunting guy, but that's the same principle. Nature has a fine balance to it. The issue is that many animals have lost their natural predators, outside of humans, which means that overpopulation is a real issue with dire consequences, none of which are good. Hunting helps us to keep balance and thus we glorify God. However, trophy hunting is greed and does not glorify God. Neither does reckless hunting with no regards to mating seasons and federal regulations.

Another thing I learned during target shooting, again, with a bow, but the same principles apply, is that it teaches us patience and temperance. It is a hobby that we need to pursue with diligence, avoiding angry outbursts and laziness when it comes to execution or maintenance. This also glorifies God, as it causes us to grow in character through godly traits.