"You're into guns - Right?!"

….is that the commenter presumed that “Alt-Right” was synonymous with “conservatives” and/or “NRA members.” Part of me wants to say “if you’re going to start out by insulting me, good luck persuading me to listen to the rest of your point.”

Let’s not sell weapons of mass destruction, but let’s not quibble over what is defined as such? I could get Cheez Whiz banned using that logic. As much as that would be a boon to gastronomy, I hesitate because some fool (like those in Chicago and California) would use it to ban foie gras, too.

Never mind that “weapons of mass destruction” has a clear definition (nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons that can indiscriminately kill civilians), and that a ban of whatever weapons can amount to the most dangerous thing in the world; unilateral disarmament.

….regarding gun control is that historically, it’s been used as a tool for suppressing unpopular minorities. In the U.S., it was used to prevent blacks from fighting back against the KKK, and it’s worth noting as well that there are striking similarities between the 1968 U.S. Gun Control Act and the 1938 German gun control laws—the latter of which disarmed thousands of Jews just months prior to Kristallnacht. In fact, all of the major genocides of the 20th century (65 million or so dead too young) were preceded by gun registration and confiscation.

Even after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stopped most U.S. use of gun control against blacks, it’s worth noting that when the “Brady Checks” became law, the BATFE was caught retaining weapons purchase information illegally. They said it would be for “18 months”, but anybody that understands computer system backup knows that it would be easy to keep it indefinitely. (and even 18 months was against the law to begin with) In the same way, promises in New York and California that registration would never lead to confiscation were flat out lies.

So even beyond the fact that not too many gun control laws would stop a motivated psychopath (e.g. Norway atrocity, Bataclan, Red Guards, etc..), you’ve got the ugly fact of a century or more of governments abusing their power when they know their victims can’t fight back. Put gently, you’ve got to assume the laws you want will one day be used by your worst political enemy, and “never again” means a lot more if you’ve got something to back it up.

I’ve found this 2-part sermon series by Dr. Ken Burkett to be immensely helpful in developing a biblical theology (Christian perspective) of self-defense. You can get the audio here.

I am a gun owner but there are some people who are “into guns” that bother me. These are the ones that feel a need to tell everyone that they’re always “packing”. The ones who regularly state that they wish they could be at the site of a crime so they could exercise their right. The ones that constantly talk and post about their collection of firearms. Those who seem to think that having guns make them more of a man.

[Ron Bean]

I am a gun owner but there are some people who are “into guns” that bother me. These are the ones that feel a need to tell everyone that they’re always “packing”. The ones who regularly state that they wish they could be at the site of a crime so they could exercise their right. The ones that constantly talk and post about their collection of firearms. Those who seem to think that having guns make them more of a man.

I’m fairly certain there are verses in Proverbs that talk about this boastful kind of behavior. That said, there is nothing that makes this apply to guns any more than it does to money, houses, cars, sports teams, etc., etc. There’s nothing special about guns that makes boastful behavior any less acceptable than it is for any other topic.

[Ron Bean]

I am a gun owner but there are some people who are “into guns” that bother me. These are the ones that feel a need to tell everyone that they’re always “packing”. The ones who regularly state that they wish they could be at the site of a crime so they could exercise their right. The ones that constantly talk and post about their collection of firearms. Those who seem to think that having guns make them more of a man.

Guns, pickups, weightlifting, extreme sports, monster stereo systems, high end video games, motorcycles, monster homes, pretty women…..and of course shelves full of commentaries and ancient language books, not to mention Babylon Bee merchandise! I would agree (I think) with Andrew that the big issue is not the particular expression of “hyper-masculinity), but rather the question of why one feels the need. There is probably a lot of good counseling to be done in that regard.