Much has been written on gun rights from a Christian perspective. I don’t have anything to add to the discussion. I did, however, come across an interesting look at the issue from a Jewish perspective. I agree with what Shlomo Yaffe has written wholeheartedly. I despise guns, particularly handguns, as the only possible use for them is to take human life. Referencing Isaiah 2:4, Yaffe states, “Weapons and their possession are a reproach to mankind–and not anything desirable.”

Despite my hatred for guns, however, I cannot support taking guns away from law-abiding citizens. As Yaffe points out,

It is rarer by far, but determined criminals even in Japan and the UK can get illegal guns. Just the other day the mayor of Nagasaki in Japan was killed by a firearm wielded by a gang member. And with 200 million guns in this country, it may not be possible to remove every one from circulation–even if as society we wanted to. Hence maybe law-abiding citizens should have the ability to defend themselves.

I support tougher laws on crime, but taking guns away from law-abiding citizens is no solution to the problem of gun violence.

Anyway, I highly recommend Shlomo Yaffe’s discussion of the subject entitled, “Of Weapons and Wickedness.”