PRESBYTERIANS FOR GUN OWNERSHIP
A Christian Response to Anti-Gun Propaganda
WHO WE ARE:
We are Americans who observe from our Constitution that our founding fathers were devout and knowledgeable Christians, believing the preservation of life included the right to self-protection from criminals, whether from individuals or tyranny in government. We understand from the plain text of the Constitution that responsible citizen gun ownership is a natural right, enumerated and guaranteed by the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution.
WHAT WE BELIEVE:
As a basis, we perceive from Holy Scripture certain inalienable rights for the nations citizens and for all men as did the nation's founders. These perceived rights, determined by the Word of God and evident reasoning based on His Word, are endowed by God the Creator of the world and Creator of mankind to mankind directly and not by way of governments or magistrates. Some of these rights are protected by the Constitution as the document clearly states. Specific limited powers have been granted by the people to government for the common good. The government has no powers that are not enumerated in the Constitution. The people have the full body of rights endowed by God and never fully enumerated as a protective measure. The Bill of Rights in general and the Second Amendment in particular has a significant beneficial preventive effect with respect to crime and the threat of tyranny. The protection of an individual's life and liberty by means of self-defense is consistent with faithful un-politicized translations of Scripture such as The King James Bible and the Constitution of these United States, inclusively. This has always been known as the "First Law of Nature", and is the first of the pre-existing rights protected by the Constitution.
WHY WE ARE HERE:
The General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church (USA) has taken a position on gun-ownership that is incompatible with Christianity and the Constitution of these United States. These were not seen or intended to be mutually exclusive by the framers of our Constitution or the Catechisms and Confessions of the Church.
The propaganda espoused by dedicated anti-gun groups does not have support for Christianity, the U.S. Constitution, or an end to crime as we know it as it's concern. The banning of handguns espoused by these groups have been accepted by the leaders of our church (the General Assembly Council), and political influence is being exerted in the name of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Many PC(USA) Presbyterians find this inconsistent with the message of the Holy Scripture, the maintenance of freedom and a free society, and the inherent right of self-defense observed by both Christianity and the Constitution of these United States. The General Assembly has taken upon itself to expend funds and ally with socialist and statist political efforts to remove our rights to self-defense without respect to the U.S. Constitution or the body of the Church. We believe the Constitution and the Book of Confession seek to protect this and all endowed rights.
Consistent with this view, we seek crime-prevention and control of criminals by just and Constitutional government; just laws, just, sure and swift punishment, and the right to self defense as proper measures to protect our society and maintain the peace necessary in furthering Christ's teachings. We must resist the godless eradication of the liberties of free men with the resulting harm to the human spirit and invitation to tyranny. The offices of the National Ministry of the PC(USA), acting on directions from the General Assemblies and on their own independent course, have become a handmaiden for the most liberal principles of the Democratic Party. Acting through the stictly political Washington Office of the PC(USA) and various branches of the Presbyterian Church, member's gifts to the church for God's work are being used to destroy the freedoms of all Americans.
WHEREAS:
We are dedicated to the reform of the radical positions being taken and the improper expense of funds directed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and affiliates who would diminish the inalienable rights of man in general and remove our right to self-defense in particular. We are determined to speak, write and petition Presbyterians and the Presbyteries as a first step in communicating to our church leadership that a serious breach has occurred between the church and the membership on matters of great importance to our freedom.
Criminal violence tears at the fabric of our society and social order, and contributes to the several efforts toward the abandonment of the tenets of our religion, our country, and the exercise of personal freedoms. Removal of the reasonable means of self-protection by government is an abomination that neither discourages crime nor protects us from the evil of violent criminals. We encourage you to examine the material PC(USA) is distributing, all copied from the non peer-reviewed studies and propagandist opinions of radical anti-gun organizations. Peer-reviewed studies are available today which not only refute their arguments, but clearly demonstrate the redeeming social value of Americans armed with defensive handguns and firearms. It's not about "Sportsman" or "inconveniences" - it's about the preservation of life and freedom in America.
By Jack Painter and Davis Dalby
Founders, Presbyterians for Gun
Ownership
members-only mail to: presbygunowners@egroups.com