This question is a bit difficult to answer, and I may not be able to give you a definitive answer, but I will offer you a few thoughts for you to consider.

There are many reasons why someone would want to own a gun.  Some enjoy shooting for sport, some enjoy hunting for their food, some feel more secure if there is a weapon in their homes to protect themselves, some feel more secure by carrying a gun with them at all times, and some would even advocate taking vengeance on someone that had harmed them or a loved one.

Believers today are sharply divided on the legitimacy of having weapons.  Some even condemn the act of hunting…killing innocent animals for food.  While I respect the tender consciences of those who do not like the idea of ‘abusing’ animals for their flesh, I direct your attention to what we read in Genesis 9:1-3, “And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. EVERY MOVING THING THAT LIVETH SHALL BE MEAT FOR YOU; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” This new directive from the Lord came after the Ark landed with Noah, his family, and all the chosen animals.  Up until this time, only vegetation was to be eaten as we read in Genesis 1:29, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; TO YOU IT SHALL BE FOR MEAT.”  So, we see the Lord, Himself, ordained that this part of His creation was given for the benefit of people for sustenance. 

I do not particularly enjoy shooting guns, but I have been to a gun range and enjoyed seeing how accurate I could be in shooting the targets.  The loud noise and kicking of the gun did not bother me at all.  My son and his wife enjoy skeet shooting for the sport of hitting a moving target.  I cannot find any reason to condemn this.

I suppose the main purpose in your question has to do with self-defense or defending others from bodily harm from any who would want to hurt or kill them.  This question was answered previously, and I encourage you to read our answers by going to www.answersfromthebook.net and type ‘defend’ into the search box.  I believe what you read there will give you much to think about in finding your answer.

Your question does give us cause to examine our hearts honestly before the Lord and allow His Word to shape our decisions.  I live in North Carolina in the USA where guns are an acceptable part of life.  It’s not too unusual to enter someone’s home and find they have a gun cabinet with rifles, shotguns, and pistols.  To see guns in someone’s home is not a cause for alarm.  Yet, if one was faced with the decision to take someone’s life, possibly sending them to an eternity of pain and torment in Hell, how would they respond?  I think the more we are aware of the Lord’s promise to “never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5), we may have more confidence in His care and His perfect will. 

A few verses from the book of Romans might be appropriate to consider here:

  • Romans 12:17, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.”
  • Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
  • Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

Again, what I have written here is not definitive.  I tend to travel a great deal in my service to the Lord, and I would not want to leave my wife unprotected if she felt in danger and wanted to protect herself.  While I can answer that question for myself, I find it difficult to answer for someone else.  I encourage you to study the scriptures and pray…asking the Lord to direct your mind.  And then, according to Romans 14:5, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”  (CC)  (695.6)