You Can't Win Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight

The infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place in Tombstone, Arizona, between the Clanton gang and the Earps (and Doc Holliday). It was won by the Earps because they came adequately armed for the battle. Conversely, our present gun battle isn’t shaping up to be much of a fight and will ultimately be lost. This present “shootout” will almost assuredly end with additional restrictions placed upon our ownership and use of firearms. This is because the good guys are brandishing a “knife” in a “gunfight.” Worse, those with the knife believe it’s a six-shooter.

This knife nearly everyone is wielding at today’s O.K. Corral is the Second Amendment right to bear arms. As with all rights, this knife is easily licensed and limited. It can even be completely eliminated if the government ever decides to repeal the Second Amendment:

“Because this is a ‘right’ codified by the United States Constitutional Republic and thereby brought under its jurisdiction, the Constitutional Republic can divest its citizens of this right—something it has been doing incrementally for some time. On June 26, 2008, in District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S., the Supreme Court decided, five to four, that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to own and bear firearms. Although gun owners hailed Heller a victory, this battle (which is far from over) concerning the constitutional right to bear arms has diverted our attention from the larger and more consequential battle.

“Disconcerting as many Americans may find the erosion of the Second Amendment guarantee, what is even more disturbing is that five people have the power to decide whether United States citizens have the right to protect themselves and their families, to what degree, and with what weapons. The Supreme Court has ruled that Americans have the right to bear arms, but only until they say otherwise. Many Americans who celebrated Heller overlooked the fact that it can—and likely will—be overturned by a future court, just as its decision overturned United States v. Miller, 307 U.S. 174, rendered in 1939. If you look to the Second Amendment for your authority to bear arms, that authority is contingent upon the fickle nature of nine fallible human beings.

“The constitutional right to bear arms is in jeopardy since the Second Amendment could be overturned at any time by future amendment. This was attempted as recently as March 11, 1992, by Democratic Congressman Major Owens of New York.”¹

When the framers rejected Yahweh’s² morality as the standard for government and society, they also disregarded the most effective means of protection against tyrants, politicians, lawyers, and other criminals. Rights are easily controlled by whatever government happens to be in power. But God-expected responsibilities (such as found in 1 Timothy 5:8) remain the same regardless what the government says or does.

The knife provided and controlled by the government is not going to save you in the gunfight at today’s O.K. Corral.

“It is better to trust in Yahweh than to put confidence in man [We the People]. It is better to trust in Yahweh than to put confidence in princes [and their edicts such as the Second Amendment].” (Psalm 118:8-9)

Related posts:

The Second Amendment: A Knife in a Gunfight

Radio Interview with Larry Pratt

Newtown’s Massacre, Today’s Cultural Abyss, and Gun-Free Zones

Amendment 2: Constitutional vs. Biblical Self-Defense

Firearms: Scripturally Defended

1. Chapter 12 “Amendment 2: Constitutional vs. Biblical Self-Defense,” of Bible Law vs. the United States Constitution: The Christian Perspective.

2. YHWH, the English transliteration of the Tetragrammaton, is most often pronounced Yahweh. It is the principal Hebrew name of the God of the Bible and was inspired to appear nearly 7,000 times in the Old Testament. In obedience to the Third Commandment and in honor of His memorial name (Exodus 3:15), and the multitudes of Scriptures that charge us to proclaim, swear by, praise, extol, call upon, bless, glorify, and hold fast to His name, I have chosen to use His name throughout this blog. For a more thorough explanation concerning important reasons for using the sacred name of God, see “The Third Commandment.”