Easy Victim Zones

What do the shootings at Virginia Tech, the sniper shootings in D.C. and Baltimore, the Amish and Columbine massacres, and all the public school shootings have in common? They all happened at gun-free zones. Law-breakers just love gun-free zones. They should be called “easy-victim zones.” In 2006 the Virginia spokesman Larry Hinkler said he was happy to hear of the bill’s defeat, according to the Roanoke Times. “I’m sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly’s actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus,” the Virginia Tech spokesman said. They might “feel” safe but they will not BE safe. I would feel a lot safer in a massacre situation if I had a gun. In the spring of 2005, a Virginia Tech student who had a concealed handgun permit was disciplined for bringing a handgun to class.

There would have been fewer murders had Virginia tech allowed students and faculty to arm themselves on campus which, unfortunately, was prohibited. As Dr. Patrick Johnston wrote, “Is it just me or does anybody else see the obvious connection between “gun-free zones” and murder? Harris and Klebold at Columbine High School… John Lee Malvo in Baltimore… Charles McCoy in Columbus, Ohio… United 93… Washington, D.C. – the city with the highest murder rate in the country and the strictest gun control laws. Hmmm… “Gun-free zones” and cold-blooded mass murder – any connection?” It appears that someone who is intending to murder is the only one who will ignore the “Gun-Free Zone” signs in front of schools. Gun control laws do not protect innocent people; they disarm innocent people. Law-breakers, apparently, break the law – how is a new law going to prevent them from carrying a gun when they’re breaking a law to use it in a crime in the first place? Again, just look at Washington D.C. – They have the highest murder rate in the country and the strictest gun control laws.

Gun-control laws cause more people to die. The best kind of gun control is to hold the gun steady and firmly as you aim it. Jesus said, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.” (Lk 22:36) Yes, that is the same Jesus that said, “…turn the other cheek.” The sword was the best offensive weapon available to an individual soldier - the equivalent then of a military rifle today. In the law of God it says, “If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” (Ex 22:2-3) In other word, when someone breaks into your house at night (meaning you don’t know if he is a threat to your life) you are expected to use lethal force. At night, in the dark, you have no way of knowing if the intruder means to just rob you or to kill you. Jesus did not teach passivity. He is the same God who David wrote about when he said, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle…” (Ps 144:1)

Benjamin Franklin said, “Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”