Jesusnomics

It’s entirely expected that in the wake of the terrible shooting in Arizona, someone out there is going to grab some headlines by pushing for stronger laws against guns.

As it turns out, that someone is Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) who proclaims: “as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Illegal Guns, I will be introducing legislation that would make it illegal to knowingly carry a gun within a 1,000 feet of certain high-profile government officials.”

Ah! So tell me, sir, would such a law have prevented the shooting in Arizona? Would it have prevented any shooting death around a public official? Would it be reasonable to expect that any mentally disturbed person with homicidal intent upon hearing that there is now a new law against carrying a gun near a public official will decide that — although they fully intended to commit mass murder — there’s not a chance they’re going to break a gun law too!

Mr. King, your posturing and political pandering are mere opportunism. All your bill will ensure is that no armed law abiding citizen will be present to defend the innocent if, God forbid, such a terrible shooting were to occur again.

Today’s tweet comes from @PastahRod

“You can find safety in the arms of Jesus Christ not in carrying a gun.”

This is a line of argument that I’m hearing with increasing frequency these days by Christians who are in the anti-gun political camp. It usually takes the form of a question such as “Why do you need a gun to protect yourself? Don’t you trust God to take care of you?”

A bit of thought reveals that this is really one of the sillier arguments against gun control. Certainly we trust God but we do not live our lives as if our choices about our own protection have no bearing on the eventual outcome. Consider these statements…

“Why do you wear a seat belt? Don’t you trust God to save you in a car crash?”

“Why do you eat vegetables? Don’t you trust God to keep your cholesterol in check?”

“Why do you have locks on your car and house? Don’t you trust God to keep your possessions safe?

The old proverb instructs us to “trust in God but keep your powder dry.” Preparation is not the same as doubt. There may be other arguments to be made for gun control but implying that owning a gun amounts to tacit mistrust in God’s protection is simply a non-starter unless you’re willing to argue that every other safety or security measure is as well.