Should I buy a sword?

[Wrangler]

View attachment 85365

Embrace exigency and discernment! Praying for an enemy takes time that the situation doesn’t always afford to use the sword as necessary. Both are true.

 

[Wrangler]

I’ve seen dozens of cases where someone tried to claim self‑defense without an actual life‑threatening situation — and every time, the courts rejected it.

You cannot believe we have a 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms but this lacks any practical application. Just because YOU haven’t seen self defense cases prevail, doesn’t mean there are no such cases.

True Stories of Self-Defense Success

Crime statistics cannot capture the human element of self-defense. Check out these shocking true stories of USCCA Members who were forced into action, and learn the lessons they have to share.

www.federalpremium.com

Disarming Fear: Debunking Myths of Defensive Gun Use

Defensive gun use is exceedingly rare, often deployed against unarmed perpetrators, and often accompanied by personal and social risks, including loss of life and property.

everytownresearch.org

https://www.quora.com/How-many-successful-self-defense-cases-are-there-in-recent-American-legal-history

Real Cases of Successful, Split-Second Self-Defense Decisions - Red Arrow Weapons

Understanding the Legal Use of Lethal Force in Self-Defense Navigating the complexities of self-defense law requires not just an understanding of your rights but also knowing when and how you can legally use lethal force to protect yourself. This crucial knowledge can mean the difference between...

redarrowweapons.com

 

[MatthewG]

You cannot believe we have a 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms but this lacks any practical application. Just because YOU haven’t seen self defense cases prevail, doesn’t mean there are no such cases.

True Stories of Self-Defense Success

Crime statistics cannot capture the human element of self-defense. Check out these shocking true stories of USCCA Members who were forced into action, and learn the lessons they have to share.

www.federalpremium.com

Disarming Fear: Debunking Myths of Defensive Gun Use

Defensive gun use is exceedingly rare, often deployed against unarmed perpetrators, and often accompanied by personal and social risks, including loss of life and property.

everytownresearch.org

https://www.quora.com/How-many-successful-self-defense-cases-are-there-in-recent-American-legal-history

Real Cases of Successful, Split-Second Self-Defense Decisions - Red Arrow Weapons

Understanding the Legal Use of Lethal Force in Self-Defense Navigating the complexities of self-defense law requires not just an understanding of your rights but also knowing when and how you can legally use lethal force to protect yourself. This crucial knowledge can mean the difference between...

redarrowweapons.com

Wrangler I never said they didnt. I have seen people who were mad and killed their spouse or family, and try to claim something stupid. It's all on youtube.

There are true self-defense cases. No doubt. No need to link anything...

Yes — Americans do have the right to bear arms, and that right comes from the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The exact text reads:

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

What that means today (based on Supreme Court rulings)​

1. It is an individual right, not just for militias. In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess firearms for lawful purposes, especially self‑defense in the home.

2. States must also respect this right. In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the Court ruled that the Second Amendment applies to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment.

3. The right is not unlimited. Even though the right is protected, the Court has said that certain restrictions are still allowed — such as bans on guns in schools, government buildings, or other “sensitive places,” and longstanding regulations like prohibiting felons from owning firearms.

Bottom line​

Yes — you have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms in America, especially for lawful purposes like self‑defense. But that right comes with regulations, and states can set additional rules as long as they don’t violate the core constitutional protections.

Correct — you absolutely do not have the right to pull a gun on someone just because you don’t like them.

1. The Second Amendment protects gun ownership, not intimidation​

The right to bear arms does not include the right to threaten, scare, or “brandish” a weapon at someone you’re mad at. That crosses into criminal behavior.

2. “Brandishing” a firearm is a crime​

Most states — including Alabama — have laws against:

• Brandishing a weapon
• Menacing
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Making threats
• Reckless endangerment

Even showing a gun in a threatening way can get you arrested.

3. Self‑defense only applies when there is a real threat​

You can only draw a firearm when:

• You reasonably believe you or someone else is in immediate danger of death or serious bodily harm
• You are acting to stop that threat, not escalate a fight

You cannot:

• Pull a gun because someone insulted you
• Pull a gun because you’re angry
• Pull a gun to “teach someone a lesson”
• Pull a gun to win an argument

That’s not self‑defense — that’s a felony.

4. Alabama is a “stand your ground” state — but that doesn’t mean “do whatever you want”​

Even in stand‑your‑ground states, the law is crystal clear:

You must be facing a real, immediate threat. You cannot be the aggressor. You cannot escalate a normal argument into a deadly‑force situation.

Bottom line​

Owning a gun is a right. Using it responsibly is a legal obligation.

 

[Gray_Joy]

Discernment and Context. Because spiritual war is the primary war, the context of not resisting an evil person is the danger to you in being tempted by the evil person to do evil yourself. The analogy I use is a sail; don’t let the evil be like wind in your sail taking you where you don‘t want to go. Such is the intent of turn the other cheek. Don’t lose you temper, etc.

As well as Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. @NayborBear points out, what are we to do when peace is not possible, not dependent on us? In such a case, it is not possible to resist evil. It becomes a matter of life and death and God wants us to choose life. (One Pastor says the whole Bible can be summed up in two words, Choose Life.)

I think we should be wary of any effort to persuade us to ignore or excuse using a preferred contradictory narrative toward God's teachings and actions under his divine authority.
If we believe in God, I think it imperative we believe his words.

Paul said in Romans 13,
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.


Jesus lost his temper with the money changers. He even hand fashioned a weapon so to go after them.



Jesus lost his temper with the Saducee's and Pharisees who put him on trial. Calling them ones who were of their father the Devil and such.

And again,the Old Testament documents his temper well.
He burned the people's of Sodom and Gomorrah alive.

He drowned Pharaoh's army. Killed the first born,human and animal alike.
He commanded the Canaanites be destroyed. And also the Amalekites.

And we know what is prophesied as the fate of the world in Revelation.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God said,we shall not murder.
He did not say we shall not kill.

Luke 11:21
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;

 

[PS95]

Imagine not doing something. Because the excerpt from the New Testament holds more importance. "Resist not an evil person."

I'd rather save the innocent. And pray for forgiveness after.

There is no scenario in the NT like the one I laid out.
If someone hurts me I try to obey and just pray for them etc.
But this isn't about me..
Sure- I would hope someone would defend me if I was unable and a random shooter was around-- Just as I would hope someone decent was armed if my kids were in a school where that was happening. I carry that same thinking to the children of others.
I would thank him and not say that he sinned.
I don't see it as sin. I would not do it if I thought it was sin.
Is it a sin when a cop does it? I don't think so. It's to protect others and not in vain.
Murder begins in the heart. This is not that.
This is doing the right thing- that's how I see it.
I would briefly pray before and I would speak to the Lord if I had to do that. But sin is not doing something when you know you should--- not just doing something when you know you shouldnt.

 

[Gray_Joy]

There is no scenario in the NT like the one I laid out.
If someone hurts me I try to obey and just pray for them etc.
But this isn't about me..
Sure- I would hope someone would defend me if I was unable and a random shooter was around-- Just as I would hope someone decent was armed if my kids were in a school where that was happening. I carry that same thinking to the children of others.
I would thank him and not say that he sinned.
I don't see it as sin. I would not do it if I thought it was sin.
Is it a sin when a cop does it? I don't think so. It's to protect others and not in vain.
Murder begins in the heart. This is not that.
This is doing the right thing- that's how I see it.
I would briefly pray before and I would speak to the Lord if I had to do that. But sin is not doing something when you know you should--- not just doing something when you know you shouldnt.

Agreed 100%.

 

[Justified]

Deuteronomy 32:
5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.
18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

By being "seduced, lulled, beguiled" to "BECOME SO TOLERANT of EVIL?"
To become the DOORMAT for any and ALL SORTS of Mischief!"

So? My question to YOU?
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CONSIDER TO BE A "JUST WAR?"
You would NOT DEFEND? WITH ARMS?
UNTIL THE "THREAT" IS GONE?

And how is that relevant for followers of Christ, in light of what we have written in the NT?

 

[Anchorite]

Jesus spoke against revenge.

Not self defense or defense of the kingdom. Otherwise, he would be condemning his leadership of the Hebrews in the Tanakh.

Jesus spoke against self defense.


Turn the other cheek.

Love your enemies.

Do good unto those who abuse you.

Pray for those who persecute you.

Resist not an evil man.

Blessed be the peacemakers.

We fight not against flesh and blood.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.




Jesus spoke against armed, violent defense of the kingdom.



John 18:36

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.




Matthew 26

50“Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.

51At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.“

 

[NayborBear]

And how is that relevant for followers of Christ, in light of what we have written in the NT?

Matthew 13:15

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Or, what's worse? Of which? One is "willingly or willfully" "Ignorant!"
I'm not a shoe salesman! Yet? If it "fits?"
I've heard someone's got a "Fire Sale" going on!

 

[PS95]

Matthew 26

50“Friend,” Jesus replied, “do what you came for.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him.

51At this, one of Jesus’ companions drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.“

All cops who shoot an evildoer to protect others will die by the sword? That's just not true. You are reading something into it that isn't there. Peter initiated violence against the Roman army and he should not have. '
The person who ends carnage is not sinning.

 

[NayborBear]

All cops who shoot an evildoer to protect others will die by the sword? That's just not true. You are reading something into it that isn't there. Peter initiated violence against the Roman army and he should not have. '
The person who ends carnage is not sinning.

FWIW? I put this guy on "IGNORE?" Some time ago!
Hard as you, me, and others may try?
Can't SAVE 'em all!

 

[Anchorite]

All cops who shoot an evildoer to protect others will die by the sword? That's just not true. You are reading something into it that isn't there. Peter initiated violence against the Roman army and he should not have. '
The person who ends carnage is not sinning.

God allows government to use the sword to punish evil.

Christians are not allowed to use physical weapons, for our warfare is spiritual. There is no record in the NT of believers fighting with physical weapons or being authorized to do so.

Romans 13

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

 

[Gray_Joy]

FWIW? I put this guy on "IGNORE?" Some time ago!
Hard as you, me, and others may try?
Can't SAVE 'em all!

God Saves,not us.

I was going to ignore them also. However,I do read what they wrote from time to time. Admittedly, not everything.

Reading their averse perspective serves my heart in reassurance of God's way. God leads his faithful
to understanding through the helper,his holy Spirit.

 

[Justified]

Matthew 13:15

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Or, what's worse? Of which? One is "willingly or willfully" "Ignorant!"
I'm not a shoe salesman! Yet? If it "fits?"
I've heard someone's got a "Fire Sale" going on!

What does this have to do with anything? Why do you keep avoiding the NT to support your position?

 

[PS95]

I think we should be wary of any effort to persuade us to ignore or excuse using a preferred contradictory narrative toward God's teachings and actions under his divine authority.
If we believe in God, I think it imperative we believe his words.

Paul said in Romans 13,
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.


Jesus lost his temper with the money changers. He even hand fashioned a weapon so to go after them.

He fashioned weapons to go after them? Where is that? I can't imagine.

Jesus lost his temper with the Saducee's and Pharisees who put him on trial. Calling them ones who were of their father the Devil and such.

That's called righteous anger.. and yes we are to be righteously be angry also but not sin.
I just can't see it as a sin to stop an evildoer from mass random carnage of innocents.
The sin may be in being a coward and hiding yourself and calling the person to stopped him a sinner,...

And again,the Old Testament documents his temper well.
He burned the people's of Sodom and Gomorrah alive.

He drowned Pharaoh's army. Killed the first born,human and animal alike.
He commanded the Canaanites be destroyed. And also the Amalekites.

And we know what is prophesied as the fate of the world in Revelation.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God said,we shall not murder.
He did not say we shall not kill.

Luke 11:21
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe;

Oh please Be careful.. Luke 11:21 is not saying what you think there. Read the context of that verse.
The strong man is the devil and his palace is the world. his goods are poor possessed- unsaved ppl. The stronger than he is Jesus who, as he paints this picture, is speaking of the temptation, but He overcame his adversary and he took from him all his armor that he trusted. Now he is the Conqueror, who divides his spoils, among the previously possessed-- being rescued from the power of their satan their tormentor.
See also Matt 12:29
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

While I doubt I would hesitate to stop a crazed mass murderer of innocents.. I am not to put my trust weapons or guard my personal possessions with weapons.
What do I have materially that can not be replaced?

In Jesus' day there were no guns only knives- a person can run from from a man with a knife- not so with a gun. There are no mass knife murderers...

 

[PS95]

God allows government to use the sword to punish evil.

agree

Christians are not allowed to use physical weapons, for our warfare is spiritual. There is no record in the NT of believers fighting with physical weapons or being authorized to do so.

Romans 13

So you are saying a cop can't be a Christian and I don't agree. Polices are all for law abiding citizens being armed. They know they are not at a scene of a crime on time. If we are there is no reason to just stand there and scream! Yes- they have a calling. That does not mean that we can't help them- we are doing GOOD not evil.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Exactly. So you mark a difference btwn a man with a badge who isn't there in time, and the man who has permission from him to act in the same "GOOD" fashion. I don't.
Brother, you must follow your conscience here. I will follow mine. I pray neither of us even encounters such a thing.

 

[Wrangler]

That's called righteous anger.. and yes we are to be righteously be angry also but not sin.

Agreed. I believe anger is a tempting pathway to sin if not embraced with the fruit of the spirit.

Before I came to Christ, I let anger control me. Like you said, there is righteous anger that can motivate us toward justice but can also tempt us to wrath, which is not righteous.

 

[Gray_Joy]

He fashioned weapons to go after them? Where is that? I can't imagine.

He fashioned a weapon.

John 2:15

That's called righteous anger.. and yes we are to be righteously be angry also but not sin.
I just can't see it as a sin to stop an evildoer from mass random carnage of innocents.
The sin may be in being a coward and hiding yourself and calling the person to stopped him a sinner,...

Oh please Be careful.. Luke 11:21 is not saying what you think there. Read the context of that verse.
The strong man is the devil and his palace is the world. his goods are poor possessed- unsaved ppl. The stronger than he is Jesus who, as he paints this picture, is speaking of the temptation, but He overcame his adversary and he took from him all his armor that he trusted. Now he is the Conqueror, who divides his spoils, among the previously possessed-- being rescued from the power of their satan their tormentor.
See also Matt 12:29
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

While I doubt I would hesitate to stop a crazed mass murderer of innocents.. I am not to put my trust weapons or guard my personal possessions with weapons.
What do I have materially that can not be replaced?

In Jesus' day there were no guns only knives- a person can run from from a man with a knife- not so with a gun. There are no mass knife murderers...

 

[Anchorite]

I think we should be wary of any effort to persuade us to ignore or excuse using a preferred contradictory narrative toward God's teachings and actions under his divine authority.
If we believe in God, I think it imperative we believe his words.

But first, you need to read those words, without putting your own violence-condoning spin on them.

Jesus lost his temper with the money changers. He even hand fashioned a weapon so to go after them.

That is not true. Jesus whipped the animals, not the human money-changers.

John 2

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.

15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s houseinto a market!”

17 His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Jesus lost his temper with the Saducee's and Pharisees who put him on trial. Calling them ones who were of their father the Devil and such.

Jesus never lost his temper, like some carnal person without self-control. He expressed anger at the religious leaders by speaking harshly to them. But there is no record of Jesus being physically violent toward any person.

Jesus experienced violence on the cross. He did not inflict violence on people.

You are inventing a very different, false Jesus, which Paul warned us about in very stern terms.



2 Corinthians 11:4

For if the one who comes proclaims another Jesus whom we have not proclaimed, or you receive a different spirit which you did not receive, or a different gospel which you did not accept, you put up with it well enough!



Galatians 1

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

 

[PS95]

He fashioned a weapon.

John 2:15

Gotcha. This was not losing his temper. He was right and always acted righteously. It's not clear if he whipped the men or just the animals. I think that may have been enough of deterrent to cause the men to just leave. It doesn't actually say either way but that's certainly my take.

I am not a big- hey I got a gun person by any means and I would turn them in if the law forced me to. We need to obey the laws of the land unless they go against God.
But for the life of me I do not understand how stopping a mass murderer by shooting him is a sin when you are protecting the lives of innocent people. It's not something I ever hope I would have to do- no I dread the thought! But I could not stand there watching hoping the cops gets there before the last child is dead. That could be 20 min before the cops arrive and another 5 to get inside.