I used to buy guns. Lots of them. As the hunting buyer for a wholesaler in Denver I bought everything from reloading equipment to Remingtons, bright orange hunting vests to Savage Arms, Smith & Wessons to binoculars. It didn't seem strange to be in the business; my dad had given me a 28 gauge shotgun years before and I enjoyed shooting trap and skeet with it. My dad and brother both hunted. When not using the shotguns or rifles they were stored way in the back of a hall closet.
I've been thinking about that time in my life as I hear many sides of the gun debate. I used to be a member of the NRA, but let my membership expire. Thirty years ago they seemed to be taking the same stand as today - any type of gun control might mean that individuals would no longer have the right to own guns. I never did and still do not understand that kind of thinking. It seems rather paranoid.
You can google "gun control" and get a timeline of legislation that has placed restrictions on owning guns. We've had restrictions on automatic weapons like machine guns since the 1930s. In 1968 the Gun Control Act was passed that limited who could purchase a gun and required any business selling firearms to keep records of the serial numbers of guns sold. We've had gun control for years, and as far as I can tell people can still own guns. In fact, unlike when I was in the business, most states now allow people to carry concealed weapons. Concealed weapons can even be carried into our National Parks in those states where they are legal.
I remember the moment when I knew I needed to get out of the "gun" business. I had moved to MA to head a wholesale buying co-operative (a group of 18 hunting distributors who pooled their orders so they could compete with the "big-box" retailers like Wal-Mart). One day I was proof-reading a flyer and my eye stopped on the ad for Colt AR-15s. I knew that the AR-15 was the civilian version of the M16 used by the military and for the first time I started to wonder why anyone would need or want a military-type gun. And I realized I didn't want to be part of the industry that provided these guns to individuals.
Interestingly enough, it was the hunting business that brought me out to New England, and it was in New England that God and I were reacquainted. I had been raised in the church, baptized and confirmed, but after college I drifted away from attending worship regularly. But as I was driving to Massachusetts from Colorado I heard a voice saying, "Get thee to a church." It was God, of course. I know this because the voice actually spoke in God's language, King James English. I knew it was time and found Trinity United Methodist Church in Springfield. I started to participate in Bible Studies and prayer groups. I listened to the sermons and participated in discussions. The steady work of prayer and scripture and the Holy Spirit showed itself the day I read that flyer. I had crossed a point and saw there was no turning back. It was time for me to leave.
But it was hard. I had many friends in the business; I'm still in touch with some. They were good people. They are good people. I told the buying co-operative members that I felt I was being called into ministry. One of them asked if they couldn't be my ministry. I think of the people I know who own guns. The guns are not an obsession with them, but simply a means by which they go hunting, or enjoy target shooting. It's interesting... what I don't know is which of my friends own guns for protection. Maybe they've told me and I just didn't want to know.
So I confess, I used to buy guns. I'm sure the Second Amendment will continue to protect the right to own guns. But I am 100% FOR banning automatic and semi-automatic weapons along with clips and magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. I believe there should be a waiting period so background checks can be completed and I think that there should be some definite restrictions on who can buy a gun.
Jesus did not live in a time of guns, but as I read the Gospel stories I notice something about him. Here he is living in an occupied country. I don't know for a fact, but I have a feeling the Jews are not allowed to arm themselves. But not once do I hear Jesus say, "let's work for the right to carry a sword." Or "If only we had weapons, then things would be good." Instead Jesus reminds us of the most important commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength, and your neighbor as yourself. Loving God, loving others. In no way will an AR-15 help me to love others. Can we possibly live in a world without them? I can.
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