[From an article titled, "Jesus Joins the NRA":]

In response to the explosive global threat of Islamic terrorism, Wayne Lapierre, president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), recently observed, "When evil knocks on our doors, Americans have a power no other people on the planet share: the full-throated right to defend our families and ourselves with the Second Amendment."

But it's not just a Second Amendment right.

It's a God-given right.

Or so says Jesus.

He told His disciples, for instance, "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe" (Luke 11:21).

Additionally, as he was preparing to selflessly surrender Himself for imminent crucifixion, He likewise encouraged His followers to arm themselves for imminent self-defense, saying, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one" (Luke 22:36).

Contrary to "progressive" wishful thinking, that sword wasn't for opening letters.

And the modern equivalent of the sword is the gun.

But what, you ask, of the verses that say, "Turn the other cheek" (see Matthew 5:39), "Live by the sword, die by the sword," (see Matthew 26:51), and "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord" (see Romans 12:19)?

Those who exploit these and other scriptures to suggest that Christ forbade self-defense, up to and including the use of justifiable deadly force, are taking these passages out of context. Christ's "turn the other cheek" comment referred specifically to forgoing revenge and to being persecuted for His name's sake by those who hate Christianity. It does not suggest that we parents must passively hand over our children to demonic Islamists so they can rape and behead them in our presence.

[...]

Moreover, Christ's "Live by the sword, die by the sword" reproach of Peter, when taken in context, clearly refers, explicitly, to instances, or a lifestyle, wherein one affirmatively acts from an offensive rather than a defensive posture. When God says that vengeance is His, he means that we "shall not murder" or otherwise take revenge for some perceived wrong. Vengeance falls within God's purview alone.

So, again, it's biblically unfounded to suggest that, when the shooting starts, and if there is no escape, Christians must line up like sheep to the slaughter.

[...]

No, the Bible is clear. Christians may - indeed we should - arm and defend ourselves against evildoers.

[...]

Jesus did say, "Blessed are the peacemakers."

So I'll be keeping my Peacemaker within reach.

Just in case.