Does Jesus Endorse Armed Self-Defense in Luke 22:36?

Abstract

In Luke 22:36, Jesus instructs his disciples to buy swords. The best understanding of this passage is that Jesus is endorsing the carrying of weapons for personal protection. This article outlines the self-defense interpretation and defends it against several objections. I then argue that the injunction to buy a sword can be extended to gun ownership as a modern-day application. After making the scriptural case for gun ownership, I then sketch a brief philosophical argument for a strong moral right to gun ownership. Various theological, philosophical, and empirical objections are considered and found lacking.