By David Ettinger

When, Not If
Notice the title says “When They Come for Your Guns,” not “If They Come for Your Guns.” I believe it’s inevitable. Eventually, American sentiment and the properly accommodating government will pass legislation which will take guns away from citizens not involved in the military and law enforcement.
The question is: What obligation will Christians have to that law?
Biblical Example
I’m talking about a time when this will become the law of the land, when the Second Amendment will be repealed.
Multitudes of gun owners have vowed that if the government comes to take their guns away from them, they will fight back. But what about Christian gun owners? Should they be fighting the government on this issue, or are they to obey the law of the land?
Many believers point to Acts Chapter 5 when the Jewish leadership in Israel ordered the apostles not to speak publicly about Jesus (v. 28). Peter famously replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (v. 29). This meant, of course, that when it came to sharing the Gospel and talking about Christ, we must disobey the mandates of government.

Most evangelicals concur with this. Though we know we are to be law-abiding citizens (Romans 13:1-5), there are rare instances when we are to disobey the government. Those instances involve laws and practices which oppose God’s Word.
So yes, believers are to be obedient to the government in all matters which do not contradict God’s Word. If a law is passed banning Bible reading, Bible teaching, and sharing the Gospel, we are to disobey that law and accept the penalties.
What about Guns?
Now, does the Acts 5 example apply to gun ownership? In my opinion, absolutely not. Though the United States government has given its citizens the right to keep and bear arms, the Bible says nothing about it. If the government orders gun owners to relinquish their guns, Bible believers are obligated to do it.
Obeying God supersedes all things, and He (with the exception mentioned in the previous section) has commanded us to “be subject to the governing authorities … Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).

I can’t see how this can be any clearer. This is not an issue involving God, the Gospel, or the Bible. It is a civil matter, and we are to adhere to it, just like every other nation with very strict gun laws. I mean, are you really going to shoot and kill those who come to LEGALLY take your guns. This is cold-blooded murder, and the Bible DOES forbid that! Are you really willing to bring judgment on yourself as per Romans 13:2 over a non-spiritual issue?
Take Up the Cross
Jesus told us: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Jesus was speaking specifically about death. He told us that we should be willing to die for HIM every day of our lives, not a civil cause.
When Peter cut off the servant’s ear at Jesus’ arrest, the Lord chastised Him and told Peter to “Put your sword away!” (John 18:11). And that was for a “noble” cause – to keep Jesus from being arrested. How much more so would Jesus tell us to lay down our arms when it comes to civil matters?
Well, there’s my 2 cents on this fiery issue. Your feedback is very much welcome. All opinions are welcome, but please “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).
I look forward to hearing from you!
Ryan Callahan
February 12, 2020
I see it differently. The Bible says love always protects. No man or govt. has the right to come take my life or my family’s lives or our freedom. As long as millions of American Patriots stand up and fight back, they are never going to be able to take our guns or our 2nd Amendment. I disagree that they will be able to do that.
We are not going to just lay down our guns and our freedom to a bunch of tyrants. We have the Constitutional right to defend our lives and our freedom even against our own government if it becomes tyrannical. The Bible is clear that love always protects and that is what I will do when it comes to my family. Defending against an evil attack on your life and the lives of your family is not a sin. Just like the hero who shot the murderer at the TX church recently. The hero did not commit murder, the insane killer did when he walked into the church and murdered 2 old Christian men.
I’m never giving up my guns. I have the God-given right to protect my family and I have the Constitutional right to protect my family and nobody is going to take either from me. God bless.
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Hi Ryan, much thanks for getting the ball rolling on this emotional topic. I appreciate your thoughts and passion on the matter. God bless you, as well.
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Robert
February 12, 2020
To be honest, I’m glad that in the UK we don’t have mass shootings. In a recent terrorist stabbing in London, the terrorist was fended off with a narwhale tusk! Only in the UK! On the other side of the argument, Jesus commanded His followers to bear arms (but not to use them to save Him when He was arrested)… Good article and comment on a emotive topic 🙂
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Great comments, Robert, thanks for contributing!
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Robert
February 12, 2020
Its okay. I think to reconcile my two Biblical examples, Jesus intended bearing arms to be a deterrent rather than a threat. I think it’s okay to defend families and churches, but if it was myself alone being attacked, I like to think I’d turn the other cheek!
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Hah, same here!
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D. Michl Lowe
April 27, 2022
Do you not have a responsibility to others to stay alive or even to stay well? I have always seen turning the other cheek as a response to insult, not true bodily harm. I would work to protect myself because I have a responsibility to protect myself so I can remain to protect others and take care of my family and loved ones.
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heavensreef
February 12, 2020
I think it interesting that even though the UK doesn’t have guns that now all we hear about are stabbings. If it is not one thing, then it’s another. In the end, I would follow the law, if it is passed. As Christians aren’t we then showing we are the peacemakers?
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Wonderfully said, Maxine. Amen.
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vicklea
February 12, 2020
Since this is happening in VA right now, I’m glad to get your viewpoint on it.
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Thank you, Vickie.
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Lady Quixote/Linda Lee
February 12, 2020
My husband is a born again Christian and an ordained chaplain. He was a Marine Corps rifleman in Vietnam, a Corporal. Prior to Vietnam, he was an avid hunter.
After his second tour in Nam, he got rid of all his guns. He won’t even go hunting anymore. He knows what happens when you point a firearm at a human being and then pull the trigger. He would rather die than ever do that again.
More than four decades ago, less than two weeks after giving birth to my daughter, I wrestled a pistol out of the hands of a mad man, a man who was much stronger than me, especially in my weakened condition. I believe the Lord gave me super human strength in that moment, to protect my two children and me from the armed man.
The Lord has miraculously delivered my family and me from mortal danger, several times. What do I need a gun for? There’s power in the mighty name of Jesus, far more power than is found in any gun.
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Powerfully said, Linda Lee. God’s grace is certainly upon you!
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mrsmariposa2014
February 12, 2020
Thanks for highlighting this issue in a Biblical manner. It’s refreshing and rarely heard, particularly in my neck of the woods where second amendment is a very hot button issue. I definitely think your points are excellent here and share them, though I once again find myself in a minority among my neighbors. 🙂
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dettinger47
February 12, 2020
Well, if your neighbors are believers, the Bible needs to be the final authority.
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mrsmariposa2014
February 12, 2020
Yes, I quite agree!
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Sealed In Christ
February 18, 2020
Thanks for posting David. I agree on every point.
I believe we need some kind of gun control, but I would be satisfied with a ban on assault weapons. Some who support the ownership of assault weapons point to the reason this amendment was added in the first place; to protect ourselves against government tyranny. But this was in the days when the weapons you were legally permitted to keep and carry were the same weapons (to a great extent) that the military used and could be effective in fighting back against a tyrannical government. Today it is not legal to own and the advanced weaponry provided to the military, and we are way out-gunned.
My only concern about this is the loss of our rights. And as we have seen over the decades, a loss of rights in one area tends to lead to a loss of rights in other areas. This is another reason I think it would be better to keep the second amendment and instead, define it more clearly to exclude assault weapons. Seriously, haven’t we done that to a great extent already? How many people do you know that ‘legally’ keep a grenade launcher under their pillow? Or a tank in their backyard?
In my opinion, the unwillingness of the masses to scale back on their weaponry will be the reason (in great part) that guns will ultimately be taken away in totality.
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dettinger47
February 18, 2020
Great points from top to bottom. I agree that all rights are eroding. To me, this is all part of God’s end-times plans for the U.S., and the punishment coming our way which we so richly deserve.
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Sealed In Christ
February 18, 2020
Sadly, I have to agree with you.
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Dee ❤ Sixth Seal Ministries
June 29, 2020
Just out of curiosity, What are your thoughts about Christians bearing arms for protection right now?
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dettinger47
June 29, 2020
Christian’s need to follow their country’s gun laws.
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Dee ❤ Sixth Seal Ministries
June 29, 2020
I completely agree. But for Christians in principle, what are your thoughts? Feel free to private message me @ sixthsealministries@outlook.com. Just trying to work through this. Thanks!
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dettinger47
June 29, 2020
That’s what I think.
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Dee ❤ Sixth Seal Ministries
June 29, 2020
Sounds good. Thanks.
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