Below is something that I just typed up. I apologize for it's roughness as it is a first draft and not even proofread...but it is time for supper and I thought I would ask you all to read it and give me your comments- Please read it in it's entirety as it is long but you need to read it all to understand my thoughts.
"My second amendment rights and how they pertain to my place of worship.
The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects a right to keep and bear arms. This amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights
I do not intend to make this into an argument about which we debate the whys and hows of this amendment; but instead to discuss how this impacts my ability to do so in a place of worship (church).
I choose to exercise my right to bear arms and do so lawfully at all times. I am a lawful concealed pistols license holder in the state of Michigan an do carry a pistol concealed wherever it is lawful for me to do so. I do so as I feel it is the most effective means for me to insure the safety of my family, loved ones, general public and myself. I do not do this as a enforcer of the law, but simply to as protection against those who choose to not follow the law. I take this right seriously and exercise it along with hundred of thousands of my fellow statesmen.
It may seem “Christian” to say that one is trusting in God for protection, and we all must, but it is tempting God if we do not take the measures that He has laid out for us in the Bible. David wrote in Psalm 46:1 that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. This did not conflict with praising the God "Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1). Scripture teaches us that we must prepare and work, yet we must trust the outcome to God.
Deuteronomy teaches us that vengeance is the Lord's. I do not carry a weapon for vengeance, I do so for self defense and for the defense of others from evil doers harm. In Exodus 20 we read that in the sixth commandment we are told that we shall not murder, Exodus 22 teaches that killing is justified when in defense. These two passages to not contradict each other, but they compliment each other. Exodus 22:2 “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.” This is clear testimony to the biblical stance on self-defense.
In Luke 22:36 Jesus tells His disciples “he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one”. Jesus' telling his disciples too carry a sword is a clear way of His requirement that they have means to defend themselves as the sword was the most effective tool of the day for doing so. Today the most effective weapon for self defense in close quarters is a handgun. The sword being the sidearm of the day is also demonstrated in Nehemiah 4:18 “Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built.” Today, I chose to gird my pistol at my side as protection of my self, my household and my neighbor.
“But church is a place of worship and not a place for weapons/guns, even if they are concealed.” This is an argument that I have heard form some. I ask in return, “Where does the bible say that am not to arm myself in a place of worship? Do those wishing to do us harm believe that church is “No place for guns”? Of course not! This thought is ridiculous and just plain taken advantage of by those who wish to do us harm.
November, 2008- A man in New Jersey sought out his estranged wife while she was at church, killing her and another man.
In Maryville, Ill, March, 2009- A man walked to the front of church, fired four shots at the pastor, killing him. When his gun jammed he stabbed himself and two others while church members tackled him.
July, 2008 Knoxville, Tn- A gunman killed 2 church members and injured several others.
Colorado Springs, Colorado. December, 2007- A 24 year old man (who had been raised in the church and who's parents were both devout Christians) shot and killed 4 people at 2 church locations 65 miles apart. His spree was ended when an woman with a concealed weapon took action, ending the killing. The killer was said to have “hated Christians”.
The list of church shootings is a long one and would fill pages. The future list would be made shorter if more private citizens armed themselves for defense from those looking to do them harm. Why must those with license to carry concealed weapons get permission from church leaders to do so in some states? This is simply due to legislators trying to appease those who wish to squash the second amendment in our Bill of Rights. What can be done about this? Church leader should give permission to those who have the legal right to carry a concealed weapon.
Where has this worked in the past? EVERYWHERE it has been tried! Every time we allow guns to be taken away from the law abiding citizen...crime goes up! Not just any crime, but crime involving guns! Criminals have no problem disobeying the laws taking guns out of their hands, this is what makes them criminal. Every time the laws have been changed putting more guns in the hands of law abiding citizens...crime goes down! This is simple logic, clouded by emotion and skewed by our imagination. But the fact still remains- When we choose to arm ourselves as Christ told his disciples to do, we make our lives and the lives of our neighbors safer.
Signed,
An armed, Christian citizen of these wonderful United States of America.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
"My second amendment rights and how they pertain to my place of worship.
The Second Amendment (Amendment II) to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects a right to keep and bear arms. This amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights
I do not intend to make this into an argument about which we debate the whys and hows of this amendment; but instead to discuss how this impacts my ability to do so in a place of worship (church).
I choose to exercise my right to bear arms and do so lawfully at all times. I am a lawful concealed pistols license holder in the state of Michigan an do carry a pistol concealed wherever it is lawful for me to do so. I do so as I feel it is the most effective means for me to insure the safety of my family, loved ones, general public and myself. I do not do this as a enforcer of the law, but simply to as protection against those who choose to not follow the law. I take this right seriously and exercise it along with hundred of thousands of my fellow statesmen.
It may seem “Christian” to say that one is trusting in God for protection, and we all must, but it is tempting God if we do not take the measures that He has laid out for us in the Bible. David wrote in Psalm 46:1 that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. This did not conflict with praising the God "Who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1). Scripture teaches us that we must prepare and work, yet we must trust the outcome to God.
Deuteronomy teaches us that vengeance is the Lord's. I do not carry a weapon for vengeance, I do so for self defense and for the defense of others from evil doers harm. In Exodus 20 we read that in the sixth commandment we are told that we shall not murder, Exodus 22 teaches that killing is justified when in defense. These two passages to not contradict each other, but they compliment each other. Exodus 22:2 “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed.” This is clear testimony to the biblical stance on self-defense.
In Luke 22:36 Jesus tells His disciples “he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one”. Jesus' telling his disciples too carry a sword is a clear way of His requirement that they have means to defend themselves as the sword was the most effective tool of the day for doing so. Today the most effective weapon for self defense in close quarters is a handgun. The sword being the sidearm of the day is also demonstrated in Nehemiah 4:18 “Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built.” Today, I chose to gird my pistol at my side as protection of my self, my household and my neighbor.
“But church is a place of worship and not a place for weapons/guns, even if they are concealed.” This is an argument that I have heard form some. I ask in return, “Where does the bible say that am not to arm myself in a place of worship? Do those wishing to do us harm believe that church is “No place for guns”? Of course not! This thought is ridiculous and just plain taken advantage of by those who wish to do us harm.
November, 2008- A man in New Jersey sought out his estranged wife while she was at church, killing her and another man.
In Maryville, Ill, March, 2009- A man walked to the front of church, fired four shots at the pastor, killing him. When his gun jammed he stabbed himself and two others while church members tackled him.
July, 2008 Knoxville, Tn- A gunman killed 2 church members and injured several others.
Colorado Springs, Colorado. December, 2007- A 24 year old man (who had been raised in the church and who's parents were both devout Christians) shot and killed 4 people at 2 church locations 65 miles apart. His spree was ended when an woman with a concealed weapon took action, ending the killing. The killer was said to have “hated Christians”.
The list of church shootings is a long one and would fill pages. The future list would be made shorter if more private citizens armed themselves for defense from those looking to do them harm. Why must those with license to carry concealed weapons get permission from church leaders to do so in some states? This is simply due to legislators trying to appease those who wish to squash the second amendment in our Bill of Rights. What can be done about this? Church leader should give permission to those who have the legal right to carry a concealed weapon.
Where has this worked in the past? EVERYWHERE it has been tried! Every time we allow guns to be taken away from the law abiding citizen...crime goes up! Not just any crime, but crime involving guns! Criminals have no problem disobeying the laws taking guns out of their hands, this is what makes them criminal. Every time the laws have been changed putting more guns in the hands of law abiding citizens...crime goes down! This is simple logic, clouded by emotion and skewed by our imagination. But the fact still remains- When we choose to arm ourselves as Christ told his disciples to do, we make our lives and the lives of our neighbors safer.
Signed,
An armed, Christian citizen of these wonderful United States of America.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!"