Legitimate Defense

Legitimate Defense

In the midst of this crazy violence lurking in our society, especially school shootings, there has been debate about banning guns or proposing 'Gun Control'.  Should we ban guns? Should we have gun control? Would it really solve the problem? 

NOT having gun in school to protect students cost lives of 17 people and other school shooting incidents since Columbine.  It should have been a learning lesson ever since.  

Instead of advocating for gun control, they should advocate on arming every school knowing that these school shootings has been trending.  They have to be prepared.

Let's learn from the book of Nehemiah when the enemy planned on attacking and killing the jews.  They have responded with urgency to protect their kingdom.

When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” -Nehemiah 4:15-20

If designated/trained school staff members had gun(s), death toll may probably be reduced to 1 or 2 or zero.

Now let's see what the Catechism tells us about legitimate defense and having rights to use arms to protect lives.... 

2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. "The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not."65

2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's.66

2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." 

-Wayne LaPierre

God loves you and God help us!