I've long argued that none of the "compromises" we've made historically on gun rights were ever compromises. They always boil down to the anti-gun side just taking a little less than they originally wanted. We've gotten nothing out of the deal beyond losing our rights, just maybe not as many as the other side originally intended...at least for the time being.
They always come back for everything else.
But we live now in turbulent times where bad things are happening far too often, including politically-motivated attacks such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk, attacks on ICE agents, and two assassination attempts against President Donald Trump as he campaigned to return to office.
That's not good, and the hope to find some degree of unity between different people is a laudable goal. The problem is, as this op-ed shows, it always seems to boil down to that unity coming down to the same thing as gun control "compromises."
We should give them everything they want.
On one thing, at least, ideological opponents in America agree: Domestic terrorism is on the rise, with Republicans and Democrats identifying extremism as a major issue in America. They are at odds over who—and what—is to blame. But for millions of Americans, the central point is clear and urgent: No matter who’s pulling the trigger, we want it to stop.
The U.S. is an outlier in both firearm ownership and firearm deaths. When many Americans hear news of a mass shooting or other major tragedy, they fall into a now-familiar cycle: They express regret. They call for thoughts and prayers. They say we can do better, and then too many of us retreat to our political corners and little changes.
While the spiritual dilemmas that have driven division since the days of Cain and Abel—namely, the desire for power and prestige—remain largely unchanged, present-day secular forces act as accelerants.
The decline in civility and the deadliest result
In the last book he published before his death, the late Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, wrote that today’s decline in civility could be attributed to the deepening individualism of the West, the phenomenon of the internet, the “uncivilizing” impact of social media and widening economic disparities. Absolutism about gun rights is among the most conspicuous results—and certainly the deadliest.
For two generations, we have told our children that they must practice avoiding gunfire in their classrooms. It is entirely thinkable that worshippers can be shot in sanctuaries. Many of us have decided that our homes and families are safe only as long as there is a weapon present.
This piece goes on to argue that faith leaders are often the origin of reform movements, and it's clear that this is another case of trying to equate gun control with Christianity itself, which I find problematic to an extreme.
After all, while I'm no theologian, I don't recall any aspect of the Bible that tells us that we are supposed to give up our weapons and trust the secular state to protect us from harm. I don't see where we're supposed to just allow ourselves to be slaughtered by criminals and tyrants. Luke 22:36 sure seems to suggest we do the opposite, what with the hole "buy a sword and if you don't have one, sell your cloak and buy one" thing (paraphrased, of course).
While no one supports mass shootings in schools or churches, the truth is that gun control is already in place, which we were told was necessary to stop such tragedies. Both are gun-free zones in many places, meaning well-meaning, law-abiding citizens are legally disarmed on those grounds. That's why they're targets so often.
I find it irksome to have yet another person decide to preach about how we need unity, how we should come together and deal with our ailing society, as this piece purports to do, only to then get told that we're the ones who need to back down entirely just so they can get their way.
Hell.
No.
That's not happening. If that's your idea of reform, of finding common ground, then no one on this side of the debate has any interest in talking. We've heard it all before, and every time in the past when the Second Amendment supporters were willing to give a little, your side took the inch, then came back to take the mile the next legislative cycle. It's clear that we're never going to find common ground with people like you, so we're not going to try. You've asked too much time and time again, and then when we tried to be reasonable, you never returned the favor. You offer nothing except the very thing we oppose.
At no point do they offer any pro-gun concessions. They just agreed to hurt us less than they wanted to, and I'm not going to keep playing that game. None of us will.
You can't don the mantle of a faith leader and then hope that protects you from criticism because you're using that mantle for something that has no biblical basis. You don't get that power.
I advise you to take your efforts for reform and unity and place them somewhere the Good Lord doesn't look, at least until you come to realize that we're not interested in capitulation just because you believe you're righteous and that you know the will of God more than is found in Scripture.
Editor's Note: Christmas is coming a little early here at Bearing Arms!
For a limited time, use the promo code MERRY74 for 74% off a VIP, VIP Gold, or VIP Platinum membership when you sign up! It's our way of saying thanks for your support in our mission to bring you the latest Second Amendment news, information, and informed opinion from across the country.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member