An Exercise of Human Free Will

While the scriptures do not speak directly to the Second Amendment, I think it is reasonable to say that this constitutional right is an expression of human free will for which we are accountable both as individuals and as a society.

The scriptures do affirm the divine intention that we protect every human life, pursue peaceful resolutions to conflicts, address root causes of violence and forgive rather than seek revenge. The scriptures also provide for legitimate and measured self-defense.

Catholics believe that an individual civil right is always subject to the common good. Reasonable regulatory and safety measures can both preserve the civil right while protecting the common good. The United States Bishops have been calling for such measures since their 1994 pastoral message “Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action.” This advocacy expresses the divine intention for the responsible exercise of our human free will.