Is it spiritually necessary for Americans to own firearms? ?

Question

Just wondered, unless you are a farmer, rancher or hunter - what need of you of guns?

I apologize, but I am a Canadian on an American forum, I don't understand why people think it is necessary to carry guns.

Please explain why you need them for personal protection and why you feel it is your right? I ask this respectfully.

Thanks.

The Yamster wanted me to put this one under etiquette - go figure?

Answer 1

I really do not think it is spiritually necessary for Americans to own guns. After all, Christ did say "Love your enemies, do good to those who hurt you." I'm not saying that Christians should not defend themselves if someone is trying to physically attack them, but I don't see why there is such a strong connection between the Religious Right and gun ownership.

Answer 2

I used to hunt, but haven't for years. I think it is my right because Jefferson got that in the US Bill of Rights. Just like freedom of expression.

I keep my firearms for the exact reason I think he secured those rights for us. In case we need to use them.

Answer 3

If we don't have guns we can't invade Canada, eh?

Answer 4

I don't think anybody except for the three that you mentioned should own a gun.  I never will, they scare me.  But some people like to exercise their first amendment rights, and others keep them for protection...  That I can understand, if you life in a bad neighborhood or something.  Others collect them, although I don't know why somebody would want to have a collection of deadly weapons in their home.  It's all a matter of personal opinion.  Some think they're fine to have, others, like me, are strictly against it.

Answer 5

As an American who was raised in a family of firearm aficionados, and who ended up marrying one as well, I suppose I can give as good an answer as anyone...

I personally would never carry or own a firearm, but I'd not take away someone else's choice to do so.

My loved ones who do so are more collectors than anything else. It's rare that they ever use any of the firearms that they have amassed. It's a badge of pride amongst them, not unlike collectors of sports memorabilia, to compare and contrast their collections. It's a weird sort of male pride and male bonding ritual. I am sure there are plenty of gun-wielding ladies out there, but it is a predominately masculine pastime.

It boils down to feeling as if you are equipped to defend yourself if in an emergency or disaster. Knowing that you can protect your loved ones if you had to. Few ever will need to do so, but that feeling is also deeply rooted in the American sense of pride and independence.

I don't have the personal need that compels one to keep weapons just to have them, and I don't think that I must do so just because the laws allow it. Yet in seeing the behavior of the responsible gun owners in my life, I feel confident that they are doing so for the right personal reasons.

Answer 6

Our founding fathers gave us the right to bear arms to protect ourselves if we ever found ourselves being ruled by an unjust or cruel government. Many communist countries were unable to fight back when the dictators took over and made the lives of the people miserable, simply because the people were not allowed to own firearms. Our Founding fathers had already experienced that, and wanted to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

     It is true a lot of crimes are committed because of guns, but if America was ever bombed by terrorists and our government fell, we would not necessarily be sitting ducks. We would have the means to defend ourselves, because we are armed. The arms were also to protect one's family from enemy soldiers beating down your door. It is a couple hundred years removed from those times at present, but still a valid reason, and with the advent of Islamic terrorists attacking our country, we may find ourselves using those firearms, and be glad to have them.

Answer 7

**** yeah! Those demons try coming after me and I blow their brains out!

Some people like to collect guns, some people like to do sports shooting, etc.

If you were ever in a big city in America at night, you might know why you need a gun for protection.

When the second amendment was written it was because militias were common.

Answer 8

Everyone should watch the documentary "Bowling for Columbine"--it addresses this issue and makes you think.

I would never carry a gun because they scare me. I guess if I'm gonna get shot at least it will be a quick death :P

Answer 9

Isn't it a nice easy way to get rid of rednecks.

Answer 10

In a country like America where firearm ownership, legal and illegal, is so pervasive, I think it's important to have a firearm just for personal safety.  You never know what gun weilding criminal could invade your home or rob you, or what deranged headcase could snap and start shooting up your campus or workplacce. I actually think the second ammedment is a relic from constitutional days and our country would be safer if we did away with it many years ago.  But it's too late to turn back now.  Nobody is willing to give up their guns once they've got them, so it's best you get one too.

Answer 11

It goes back to the colonial days.  The framers of the Constitution wanted to make sure the citizens could protect themselves from invaders, foreign or domestic, so they gave everyone the right to keep guns.  Now, people have the right to defend themselves, as do People everywhere in the world.  Owning guns is a fine way to do this.  Unfortunately, the criminal element also has access to guns.  

Answer 12

The right of self defense is a basic human right. Firearms enhance and facilitate the protection of the person and the family.

Police departments like for you to think that they serve and protect the people, but the primary and most essential function of the police is to protect the government.

History has proved, over and over again, that when things get really dicey, police and government are usually no where to be found, or they turn out to be the actual problem (as in the case of n**i Germany, Russia, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Columbia, Northern Ireland, etc.).

Canada is not exempt from these issues, either.

Beware.

Answer 13

I don't believe it is spiritually necessary. In fact, some religions would be against it. Certainly, for some people, spirituality or religious beliefs would factor in to their decision as to whether or not to purchase a weapon of any kind. There is more than spirituality that factors into such a decision, such as upbringing, acceptability within the culture, and personal experiences.

Answer 14

I'm sure you know enough about what's been going on in this country the last 8 years to know that the biggest threat to our personal freedoms is our own government, and this administration in particular. We own guns to defend ourselves from an event of martial law or otherwise illegal attempt to deprive us of our civil rights.

Answer 15

It's not needed spiritually.

It's needed for self-defence.

They have actually found that in countries where they  create strict gun control laws, crimes involving guns go up. Look it up.

Answer 16

It is completely unecessary. I am against guns for sure. If you want to hunt, rent a gun at the hunting site or whatever. Allowing people (and idiots) own gun is a big mistake.

Answer 17

It may not be spiritually necessary but it is our right.

We have the right to bear arms in the country. Not just to hunt or shoot a bear if we live in the woods. We have the right to own whatever type of arms our government has at their disposal. We have the right to own a gun for sport and for protection. Not just to protect ourselves against criminals but against our own government if necessary. I love my country and I do trust my government, but that doesn't mean I'll willingly hand over my rights.  

Answer 18

Its not spiritually necessary.

Throughout history the citizens of any country whom was with out defense against their government were in all cases abused by their government.

All Cases.

Answer 19

As someone who lives in Rural Alabama it's not about what need you have of guns, but who doesn't need a gun.  My husband is an avid deer, and turkey hunter (which we eat not sport hunt).  Personal protection to me means not from people but from wild life such as coyotes and bob cats which are prominent in our area.

If a person found my home it would be a miracle, so a stranger attacking me in my home not a huge concern.  I live on about 40 acres and we live in a very untamed area.  Now the nearest city is about 30 miles from here and we have gangs and the normal idiocy there, but I've never carried a gun to these places.

I think that automatic weapons should be allowed only to law enforcement and military personnel.  On the flip side of that a crook will always be able to obtain these even if everyday citizens couldn't.  Let's be honest about that, if we had stronger gun control laws who do you think would have the weapons?

Obviously if I don't care about law enforcement, I would find a way to secure one of guns that are illegal (if there were illegalities).  Take a rednecks gun away and there's going to be the piper to pay (grinning).

Love in Christ,

Michelle