Have you ever wondered if Jesus was against weapons? With all of the talk going around about banning weapons, I thought it prudent to see what the Bible had to say. If you believe as I do, weapons are a tool. Humans control what the tool does or doesn't do. Some tools are created for a specific purpose but used wrongly by those committing evil acts. An instrument in itself cannot inflict destruction on anyone. Destruction is caused when the soul of the operator has a hard heart that does not include a relationship with Christ.
I have heard every argument imaginable in regards the use of weapons, specifically guns. Though guns were not around in the days where Jesus walked the earth, the standard weapon of choice was a sword. When I think about swords in the Bible, I think about when Jesus was betrayed. The night Jesus was betrayed by Judas, an event happened with a sword. When confronted with Roman soldiers, chief priests, and Pharisees, Simon Peter acted out in defense of Jesus. He drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's slave Malchus.
John 18 NASB Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus.
One thing that I find interesting about this situation is that Jesus knew that Simon Peter was armed. There was no mention in the scriptures of Jesus telling his disciples to disarm and leave their weapons behind. Since Jesus was fully aware of Simon Peter carrying a sword, then why did he not raise objections to it. I believe that Jesus saw a sword as a tool. In the right situation, the tool could be useful. In the wrong situation, the tool could inflict destruction as shown in this set of verses.
John 18 NASB So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”
I don't think that Jesus was against weapons.
I do not believe that Jesus was against weapons, in fact, he was for them. Look at this set of verses from Luke. Jesus was explaining to his disciples that a sword was more critical than a coat. He spoke about this to warn his disciples of the challenges that they would face when venturing out into the world to spread the gospel. Jesus knew well enough that the disciples would end up in areas that were hostile to the gospel. They needed a way to defend themselves if they were attacked while spreading the gospel.
Luke 22:35-38 NASB 35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing.” 36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
In conclusion, I think that there is adequate scripture to back up having weapons for personal defense. Disarming law abiding citizens is going counter to what the Bible teaches us about this topic.