Sunday, September 9, 2012

Conceal and Carry

That’s right.  I am now legal age to get my Conceal and Carry, and I’m right proud of that.  Recently there has been much discussion in certain circles, of which I am a part, as to the right or wrong of God’s people carrying guns.  In fact, I have recently heard it said that my Great Grandfather (WWII Marine Veteran), Grandfather (Vietnam Marine Veteran), and my Father (15 years active duty service Marine) are all in sin for having served their country in an effort to protect their families, their freedom, and their homes, because we are called to love our enemy above those placed directly under our care.

Well, I have to say, I am a very proud third generation Military Brat (for those who don’t know, that is a military term of endearment, not a slander) and I will boldly proclaim this truth.  I respect men and women who stand by their convictions, and thus, though I strongly disagree with the Amish’s stance on defending your family, I can respect them because they are doing what they believe wholeheartedly to be right.  What I can’t respect is the great men throughout history, and in my personal life, who gave up so much for you (generalized term) being told they are in sin for their sacrifices.


So, obviously I feel strongly about this… which is why I have had to remove myself from some of the discussions in which I was taking part.  Those who know me well know that my claws and teeth very easily come out when you mess with my family, or the people I care about- and in my book, calling into question the character of the men I love doesn’t jibe well.  I knew I couldn’t respond well in that situation, and thus, I removed myself.

All that being said, though, I have no intention of hiding my views on the subject, because I do feel passionately that men and women defend themselves, and those they love.  So, in October I am taking a week long course with my Daddy (and my mom, actually, who is going to get her conceal and carry at the same time) in order to be licensed to conceal and carry.  My family believes strongly that men and women carrying any type of weapon- be it knife, gun, or even a slingshot- be fully educated on the weapon, as well as proper weapon safety.  Which is why we are going through the class.  We want to be fully knowledgeable on the weapons we will be using, and our constitutional rights to bear that arm.

So, in honor of this exciting occasion (I’ve been waiting all year for the law to revert back to 21, instead of 23!), I have decided to do something out of the ordinary.  Here are images, quotes, and reasons for why I strongly believe in my right and my responsibility to bear arms in the protection of myself and my family, and my 3 generations of courageous men’s rights to protect their families, freedom, and country.  Enjoy, or don’t.  That is your right.
 
 


 
 

 



 



 

33 comments:

  1. I agree 100%!! Lets look at history and learn from it. More citizens with gun they know how to use, less crime. Seems to me its the people who do the crime that wouldn't want you to have a weapon. Think about it.... If you weren't going to do something you ought not, why would you care? The bad guys already have weapons, why shouldn't we protect our families and ourselves? Just sayin. Another great post kid!!

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    1. *is ecstatic you finally posted a comment on one of my posts!!! *

      I agree. If you have a responsible citizen who owns weapons for the sake of protection and freezer filling (hunting), then that's what they are going to use it for.

      A bad guy doesn't care what the rules are. Just because the government says "No citizen shall have a gun", doesn't mean they are going to give up their guns, or go buy one on the black market.

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  2. In Chicago, as far as I know, you are not allowed to own a gun. Interestingly, it also has a very high crime rate.

    Good post. I told my parents that I want a conceal carry permit and a revolver when I turn 21. Provided they still allow conceal carry permits when I turn 21...

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    1. That is very interesting, Alexandra.

      My Daddy believes that all women should know how to defend themselves, so I think it is really cool that you want to get one. :) When you do, we shall have to compare training notes. :D

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  3. I've been thinking on this sort of thing for quite awhile. I enjoyed reading your post and hearing your thoughts on it all. :D

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    1. Cool! What specifically have you been thinking about concerning this subject, Jeremiah? I'd love for you to share. :D

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    2. Hm... *thinks* I guess I've been trying to figure out just where I stand on it all. I totally feel that we should have the right to have and use weapons, but the whole philosophical side of it is a bit more complicated. ...So complicated I can't even figure out how to communicate it here. o.O
      I'll try to sort of explain though: A lot of people I respect seem to think (though I don't know and I'm pretty sure they wouldn't outright say) that owning a weapon is ...like... a crazy thing to do? *laughs* They talk about the dangers of having one, etc and might even think that due to God's Sovereignty Christians do not need one. Then there are the other people that seem to think that you need to own a gun in order to be ready to protect your family, almost implying in a way that it is sinful not to own one.

      I don't think I've represented either side correctly, but hopefully I got the point across- I'm sensing two extremes (that aren't all that extreme necessarily), and I'm trying to decide where I stand exactly.

      I think if I told my Dad I wanted to carry a weapon when I'm older, he wouldn't necessarily be against it, but he'd want to know why.

      Those that believe the Sovereignty of God removes the need for a gun should also agree that it removes over-the-top anxiety concerning the dangers of it, in my opinion, while those that think they need a gun in order to protect themselves and their family need to remember that God is still their only true hope. *hopes that made at least some bit of sense*

      I place myself in the camp that believes the Sovereignty of God and consequently, should I someday own a gun I need not be overly worried about potential accidents (I mean beyond reason- of course every weapon owner must be careful)/consequences of being a gun owner.

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    3. I am a firm believer in God’s sovereignty, so let me see if I can give you a little bit of my perspective on it. Obviously, you are totally entitled to your own opinion, and I will only say the things I am going to in order to give you food for thought. :)

      Let me ask you this question.

      Say someone decides to set fire to their kitchen. But they believe God is sovereign, so if they are not meant to die that day in that fire, then God will send the Firemen there on time and rescue them.

      Isn’t that rather foolish? I mean, yes, God is sovereign, but He also calls us to have a brain and not be stupid or careless. We are to take care of our lives and body, His temple.

      Or, look at it this way. God says we have been given Grace. Does that mean we can just go out and sin because God offers us Grace, no matter what we do? Of course not! We have a sense of responsibility, as Christians.

      Or, let’s take it a step further. If God is sovereign, do we still have a responsibility towards evangelism? I mean, He’s going to save who He’s going to save, right? So why do we need to evangelize?

      Now, obviously these arguments are a bit silly. But that’s how I see the whole “God is sovereign, we don’t need to protect ourselves” argument.

      God is our only true hope. He is our ultimate protection. Even if you have a gun, that doesn’t mean you won’t be killed.

      Think back to the Israelites. In the time of Esther, her people’s lives were put in danger, and even though they put their faith in the Lord, they still went out to protect their families.

      Now, I find it interesting that people find it dangerous to own a gun. What is really the danger? Unless of course you are uneducated about the weapon in your possession, and are careless with it. But that’s not the gun’s fault. That is your fault. If you buy a chainsaw to be able to cut down a tree, you’re a fool for not reading the directions and knowing how to safely use it, right? A Gun is no different. A gun is no more dangerous than a match, stove, or electrical appliances. If you educate yourself on the rules and how to use these things appropriately and safely, then you’ll have no issues.

      Hope that helped, Jeremiah. :D I’m enjoying the discussion.

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    4. It did, I agree with you fully, I think. :D

      That's what I find so funny about it- they think it silly for people to own guns, I don't know why for sure, but based on the way they talk they seem to think it dangerous or silly to have one.
      I'm thinking some would say "Why do you need a gun? Can't you just trust God that you'll never need one?" (which seems to make at least some sense because it is a pretty rare thing for you to need one, at least in my experience) But then you ask why not and they start going "Well, what if..." Then you can respond "Well a minute ago you were saying to trust God...why not trust Him with keeping you safe from your own weapon?"

      Just thinking and not really knowing, I can think of a potential disadvantage to owning a gun, though I'm not saying it is likely to happen or anything. Owning a gun can make you a semi-suspect if any gun crimes have been committed in your area, at least it seems like that is a possibility, especially if you think of some of the ridiculous things that have happened.
      Kind of like the issue with throwing stars. In my town I'm allowed to own and use a throwing star, but not allowed to carry it with the intent to conceal it. I'm also not to handle it in a way that anyone would deem threatening. That last part can be pretty arbitrary though. If someone sees me holding it they could say that I was being threatening and I could get in trouble, or at least have myself a time staying out of it. I think there must be similar difficulties with guns- even if you know what you're doing with it and never do anything wrong people can still make it look otherwise.
      That won't keep me from getting a gun though, if I decide to do so, because I believe something like that will happen if and only if God allows it anyway.

      Instead of comparing not getting a gun to setting one's kitchen on fire, I would compare it to not preparing for an accidental house fire- not having a fire extinguisher, not planning out how people should try to escape from the house, where they should meet outside, etc. It isn't smart not to do these things, not smart to not be entirely prepared for things that are more or less likely to happen, but to trust God to take care of you should something like that happen is going to be necessary no matter how prepared you become.

      So for instance- I don't think my Dad would get a gun, you would have to ask him why because I don't want to misrepresent him, but he doesn't see it as a necessary or wise thing to do (apparently). I'm not going to beg him to do so so that he can properly care for us all because I am trusting God that we can take out the bad guy with a skillet if it's God's will for us to be safe despite a serial killer breaking in (or whatever).

      But, when I'm older I may very well get a gun because I feel that it will enable me to better protect myself and my family (and/or any other people that should be protected) should certain things happen.

      Dunno if this response follows at all from what you said, as I'm feeling like it's getting late, but hopefully it is intelligible at least. ;) I am also enjoying this discussion. :D

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    5. Yep, I knew what you meant. :)

      As a young person living under your father's roof, I think it is biblical for you to submit to his desires concerning this, no matter how you feel. So I think you are wise to do so. Also, I don't think you can make a biblical case for it being a sin not to own weapons and firearms (though I think not protecting your family is a different story, but weapons and firearms are not the only way you can protect them, though perhaps it is the easiest way), I just happen to think it is wise, especially since, statistically, we see that people, homes, businesses, states, and countries who own firearms or who arm every household, are safer (drastically less murder, assault, and break ins).

      I totally agree with you shifting God's sovereignty to include gun accidents, by the way. :)

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    6. Okay good. :)

      I agree. :D Yes, it's totally valid to get a gun or not, depending on your own feelings (and how God's leading you)- If someone isn't comfortable owning a gun, they probably shouldn't have one (at least not 'til they've thought carefully about it). ;) (then again I'm tempted say if they were TOO comfortable having one they shouldn't have one either, but I think that's overthinking it :rofl:)

      :D That's something I've been thinking about since a conversation I was semi-involved in about citizens owning guns, so I actually had the thought somewhat formulated. =)

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    7. So, why would you say someone being too comfortable with a gun shouldn't have one?

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    8. I suppose I should have said what I meant by "too". If someone is comfortable with a gun, that's not a bad thing necessarily. If they are comfortable with it because they are familiar with how to handle one, etc. that's good. If, however, they are comfortable with one because they are ignorant or careless--more comfortable than they should be--that could be potentially dangerous. (I thought I was over-thinking it, now I'm sure of it)

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  4. You mention that there's discussion in your circle about whether it's right or wrong in the sight of God to carry a gun.

    It's a discouraging testimony to the sad state of theological understanding and sloppy biblical exegesis in a large part of the Christian church today, that the answer is not clearer to many than it should be.

    There's a fair bit written about this online of differing quality. This article ad WND isn't bad as far as it goes - http://www.wnd.com/2001/11/11783/ . However, it's incomplete without a discussion of the Sixth Comandment, as that will surely be one of the first things to come to folks' minds. (To follow in a subsequent comment.)

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    1. I absolutely agree! I don't think there is any true scriptural support for the argument. I think that taking the love thy enemy scripture verse to mean cause them no harm, no matter if they are threatening you or your family, is an improper interpretation.

      The Bible is clear. Thou shall not murder, not thou shall not kill. It's a heart issue. I briefly touched on this in my post Legitimate Violence- Self Defense:
      http://therainbowinthestorm.blogspot.com/2012/03/legitimate-violence-self-defense.html

      Thanks for your link! :) And for the comment.

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  5. Wonderful post, Airi! I agree 100 percent. Well said. :)

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  6. The Six Comandment is: "Thou shalt not kill" (i.e. murder) Exod. 20:13, Deut. 5:17

    All the commandments include requirements as well as prohibitions. Here's an explanation from the Westminster Standards. (Emphasis mine.)

    Shorter Catechism
    Q. 68. What is required in the sixth commandment?
    A. The sixth commandment requireth ALL LAWFUL ENDEAVORS TO PRESEVE OUR OWN LIFE, AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS. - Eph. 5:28-29; 1 Kings 18:4.

    Q. 69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
    A. The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor, UNJUSTLY, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. - Acts 16:28; Gen. 9:6.

    Larger Catechism
    Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
    A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and LAWFUL ENDEAVOURS, TO PRESERVE THE LIFE OF OURSELVES AND OTHERS by ... JUST DEFENCE THEREOF AGAINST VIOLENCE, ..., and protecting and defending the innocent. - look up an online copy for scripture proofs.

    Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
    A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves, or of others, EXCEPT IN CASE OF PUBLIC JUSTICE, LAWFUL WAR, OR NECESSARY DEFENCE; the NEGLECTING OR WITHDRAWING THE LAWFUL AND NECESSARY MEANS OF PRESERVATION OF LIFE; ..., and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any. - scripture proofs may be looked up online.

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    1. Awesome! Thanks so much for the scripture references, as well as the supporting info from the catechisms. I totally agree with all points.

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  7. Resistance of tyranny, violence, and evil has a firm theological and historical foundation as a part of Christian duty.

    Although threads of Christian pacifism have been around for a long time, its rise in popularity is a recent historical development (and goes part and parcel with much of the fuzzy thinking that goes on today).

    IMHO, a professing Christian without suitable means of defense is violating the 6th Comandment. Some would find that surprising.

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    1. Amen!

      I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on a professing Christian violating the 6th commandment by not defending themselves or their loved ones. :)

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  8. One can look at the Declaration of Independence itself and find: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

    These are natural rights imparted by God. The right to life includes the right to defend that life and the right to the common means to do so.

    The Framers didn't come up with this out of thin air and it has a firm biblical foundation as previously shown.

    It's not a right that is only a right in your home or in your yard. It's a right that is yours, where ever you are. It is a right to keep and BEAR, that is CARRY arms (not limited to guns by the way - knives, swords, pepper spray, whatever).

    There's more, but that's enough to illustrate. One can trace this idea back a long, long way. It is basic and fundamental.

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    1. *smiles * I'm a history buff, so I am delighted you brought all of that up in the comments. :)

      I loved what you said in your second paragraph. That the right to life includes the right to defend that life. It's a very concise way to boil down a complex topic into one sentence.

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  9. With respect to God's sovereignty, most reformed people who have a healthy understanding of it also understand that God typically and usually works through means.

    When he doesn't work through means, we call that a miracle.

    Not availing oneself of the common means to protect and preserve live is tantamount to expecting God to save you from such a situation (should it arise) through miraculous means.

    There's much less piety and more carnal presumption in this approach than many people might at first realize.

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    1. Yes, absolutely. God's sovereignty is a complex subject.

      I've never thought about it in terms of what qualifies a miracle, though. That is an astute observation. I'll have to research that some more.

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  10. One additional point. David was a man of war. The Bible also tells us he was a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14). Therefore the two are not mutually exclusive.

    Furthermore, David made use of the common means of defending himself (i.e. sling, shield, bow, spear, sword).

    However, and this is key, David did not trust in any of those means/tools, but in his God alone (who would make use of them).

    "Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
    For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
    But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us." Psalm 44:5-7

    Yes, are can and are to make use of such means (ex. concealed carry), but our hope and trust is to remain in the Lord. Ultimately He is our shield even though he usually makes use of ordinary means to deliver his people.

    "And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
    The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
    I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." 2 Sam. 22:2-4

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    1. David is a good biblical character to bring up. He was mentioned several times in the discussion I referenced earlier. I love David. He’s such a great biblical character to study for many different reasons.
      Psalm 44:5-7 is a great verse to bring up in the discussion of trusting God vrs trusting in our weapons. Thanks for bringing that one up, Anonymous.

      God should be the one in which we trust. Hands down. But we should not be foolish, either. We are held accountable for our actions.

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    2. Right. God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are both clearly biblical truths.

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  11. Some thing to think about with self preservation:

    Matthew 4
    6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
    7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

    And David being a man of war, and being a man after God's own heart, are not only not exclusive, but actually feed on each other:

    Exodus 15
    3 The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name.

    Something to think about God's Sovereignty, I posted this on google+:
    "God is Sovereign.
    He can do all things.
    That does not mean he does all things!"

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    1. Amen, I agree. God's sovereignty does not dictate to Him.

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  12. I'm going to use your site as a graphic source for a Gun Rights project in school!

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