It's the heart, not the weapon

The narrative playing out before us now is another cry for gun control in America. Excerpts from the Nashville school shooter's mother from 2018-2019 where she petitioned for stricter gun laws, news release of the Huntsville shooter just pleading guilty last week to an illegal weapons charge, neither of which changed the outcome of what has happened this week in these respective situations. Had there been stricter laws on the books, what would have changed? How would anything be different? Good people obey the laws while bad people find ways to circumvent the laws. The Huntsville suspect was already awaiting trial on two attempted murder charges, plead guilty last week turning in his handgun, and yet still had a weapon to perpetrate this senseless act of violence on three subjects, killing one.

It all goes back to a heart matter. The loaded gun kills no one when used in the manner in which it was intended. Add a hateful heart to a loaded gun and the situation changes quickly. Biblically, we can go back to the book of Genesis to see how things can change so quickly. Genesis 4:3-11, "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;". Two brothers who loved each other, helped each other, yet jealousy and hatred overtook the heart.

In those days, it was not a gun that was used. It was rocks. It was sling shots hurling rocks through the air. It was a "cat-o'-nine-tails", a sword, a spear, and a cross. Guns are what we hear about today because they are so prevalent in our society. Guns are not the issue. It's the hearts of the people who have given way to hate, jealousy and rage. Violence is their conscience with retaliation and revenge as their guides. God help us to put aside the anger and the violence of the world. Help us, God, to love our fellowman in the manner in which you intended.