<\/p>\n
Gun Control and Self-Defense:<\/span><\/h1>\nStriking the Right Balance<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n![\"For](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/A-man-wearing-a-handgun-on-his-belt-as-part-of-a-concealed-carry.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Gun control must not forget the principle of human dignity, the right of self-defense, or the pursuit of the common good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Catholic Social Teaching and Gun Control Pros and Cons<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Gun ownership is an issue where there is legitimate diversity of opinion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Catholic Church does not have an official, comprehensive teaching on gun control<\/strong>, but she does on issues like human dignity, the common good and self-defense.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Self-Defense a Right?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Yes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Christian moral theology has never condemned legitimate personal or corporate self-defense\". (Statement to the UN)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"The Church accepts that everyone has the right to defend one\u2019s life against mortal danger\". (Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, 3.6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn Fact, Self-Defense is a Duty!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty\". (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \"To defend oneself is not only lawful but also an expression of love<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm.\" (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About the Sacredness of Life?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Incarnation reveals to us, with intense light and in a surprising way, that every human life has a very lofty and incomparable dignity.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About \u201cThou Shall Not Kill\u201d?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Church\u2019s Tradition has always consistently taught the absolute and unchanging value of the commandment \u2018You shall not kill\u2019\u2026to kill a human being, in whom the image of God is present, is a particularly serious sin.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 54-55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Pope St. John Paul II notes that the Fifth Commandment \u201cimplicitly\u2026encourages a positive attitude of absolute respect for life\u201d. (Evangelium Vitae, 54)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat does this mean?<\/span><\/p>\nThere are \u201dsituations in which values proposed by God\u2019s Law seem to involve a genuine paradox. This happens for example in the case of legitimate defense\u2026Certainly, the intrinsic value of life and the duty to love oneself no less than others are the basis of a true right to self-defense<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Consequently, no one can renounce the right to self-defence out of lack of love for life or for self<\/strong>.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAnd, \"one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's<\/strong>.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen Does Self-Defense Go too Far?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Church warns that \"If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Every person \"can come to recognize the sacred value of human life...and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Gun Control?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
With self-defense being both a right and a duty \u201cExcessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative\u201d. (CCC, 1883)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe principle of Subsidiarity\u00a0\u00a0\u201cInsists on necessary limits to the State\u2019s intervention\u2026inasmuch as the individual, the family and society are prior to the state and inasmuch as the State exists in order to protect their rights and not stifle them\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWith self-defense being both a right and a duty, limitations on exercising this right should be approached with the utmost caution and discernment for both protecting this right and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\nIssues related to the Common Good:<\/span><\/p>\nThe Common Good is a Result, not a Principle<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching and Sacrifice<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEnding the Cycle of Violence<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSchool Choice and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Integral Development?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore about the Common Good<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Gun control must not forget the principle of human dignity, the right of self-defense, or the pursuit of the common good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Catholic Social Teaching and Gun Control Pros and Cons<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Gun ownership is an issue where there is legitimate diversity of opinion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Catholic Church does not have an official, comprehensive teaching on gun control<\/strong>, but she does on issues like human dignity, the common good and self-defense.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Self-Defense a Right?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Yes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Christian moral theology has never condemned legitimate personal or corporate self-defense\". (Statement to the UN)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"The Church accepts that everyone has the right to defend one\u2019s life against mortal danger\". (Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, 3.6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn Fact, Self-Defense is a Duty!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty\". (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \"To defend oneself is not only lawful but also an expression of love<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm.\" (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About the Sacredness of Life?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Incarnation reveals to us, with intense light and in a surprising way, that every human life has a very lofty and incomparable dignity.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About \u201cThou Shall Not Kill\u201d?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Church\u2019s Tradition has always consistently taught the absolute and unchanging value of the commandment \u2018You shall not kill\u2019\u2026to kill a human being, in whom the image of God is present, is a particularly serious sin.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 54-55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Pope St. John Paul II notes that the Fifth Commandment \u201cimplicitly\u2026encourages a positive attitude of absolute respect for life\u201d. (Evangelium Vitae, 54)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat does this mean?<\/span><\/p>\nThere are \u201dsituations in which values proposed by God\u2019s Law seem to involve a genuine paradox. This happens for example in the case of legitimate defense\u2026Certainly, the intrinsic value of life and the duty to love oneself no less than others are the basis of a true right to self-defense<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Consequently, no one can renounce the right to self-defence out of lack of love for life or for self<\/strong>.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAnd, \"one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's<\/strong>.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen Does Self-Defense Go too Far?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Church warns that \"If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Every person \"can come to recognize the sacred value of human life...and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Gun Control?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
With self-defense being both a right and a duty \u201cExcessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative\u201d. (CCC, 1883)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe principle of Subsidiarity\u00a0\u00a0\u201cInsists on necessary limits to the State\u2019s intervention\u2026inasmuch as the individual, the family and society are prior to the state and inasmuch as the State exists in order to protect their rights and not stifle them\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWith self-defense being both a right and a duty, limitations on exercising this right should be approached with the utmost caution and discernment for both protecting this right and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\nIssues related to the Common Good:<\/span><\/p>\nThe Common Good is a Result, not a Principle<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching and Sacrifice<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEnding the Cycle of Violence<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSchool Choice and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Integral Development?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore about the Common Good<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
Gun control must not forget the principle of human dignity, the right of self-defense, or the pursuit of the common good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Catholic Social Teaching and Gun Control Pros and Cons<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Gun ownership is an issue where there is legitimate diversity of opinion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Catholic Church does not have an official, comprehensive teaching on gun control<\/strong>, but she does on issues like human dignity, the common good and self-defense.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Self-Defense a Right?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Yes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIt is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Christian moral theology has never condemned legitimate personal or corporate self-defense\". (Statement to the UN)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"The Church accepts that everyone has the right to defend one\u2019s life against mortal danger\". (Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, 3.6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIn Fact, Self-Defense is a Duty!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty\". (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIndeed, \"To defend oneself is not only lawful but also an expression of love<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm.\" (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About the Sacredness of Life?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Incarnation reveals to us, with intense light and in a surprising way, that every human life has a very lofty and incomparable dignity.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About \u201cThou Shall Not Kill\u201d?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Church\u2019s Tradition has always consistently taught the absolute and unchanging value of the commandment \u2018You shall not kill\u2019\u2026to kill a human being, in whom the image of God is present, is a particularly serious sin.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 54-55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Pope St. John Paul II notes that the Fifth Commandment \u201cimplicitly\u2026encourages a positive attitude of absolute respect for life\u201d. (Evangelium Vitae, 54)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat does this mean?<\/span><\/p>\nThere are \u201dsituations in which values proposed by God\u2019s Law seem to involve a genuine paradox. This happens for example in the case of legitimate defense\u2026Certainly, the intrinsic value of life and the duty to love oneself no less than others are the basis of a true right to self-defense<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Consequently, no one can renounce the right to self-defence out of lack of love for life or for self<\/strong>.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAnd, \"one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's<\/strong>.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhen Does Self-Defense Go too Far?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Church warns that \"If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Every person \"can come to recognize the sacred value of human life...and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Gun Control?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
With self-defense being both a right and a duty \u201cExcessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative\u201d. (CCC, 1883)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe principle of Subsidiarity\u00a0\u00a0\u201cInsists on necessary limits to the State\u2019s intervention\u2026inasmuch as the individual, the family and society are prior to the state and inasmuch as the State exists in order to protect their rights and not stifle them\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWith self-defense being both a right and a duty, limitations on exercising this right should be approached with the utmost caution and discernment for both protecting this right and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\nIssues related to the Common Good:<\/span><\/p>\nThe Common Good is a Result, not a Principle<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching and Sacrifice<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nEnding the Cycle of Violence<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nSchool Choice and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Integral Development?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore about the Common Good<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Gun ownership is an issue where there is legitimate diversity of opinion.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
The Catholic Church does not have an official, comprehensive teaching on gun control<\/strong>, but she does on issues like human dignity, the common good and self-defense.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"Christian moral theology has never condemned legitimate personal or corporate self-defense\". (Statement to the UN)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"The Church accepts that everyone has the right to defend one\u2019s life against mortal danger\". (Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, 3.6)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, \"To defend oneself is not only lawful but also an expression of love<\/strong>\". (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm.\" (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What does this mean?<\/span><\/p>\n There are \u201dsituations in which values proposed by God\u2019s Law seem to involve a genuine paradox. This happens for example in the case of legitimate defense\u2026Certainly, the intrinsic value of life and the duty to love oneself no less than others are the basis of a true right to self-defense<\/strong>.\u201d (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"Consequently, no one can renounce the right to self-defence out of lack of love for life or for self<\/strong>.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 55)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n And, \"one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's<\/strong>.\" (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing of the aggressor....the one is intended, the other is not.\" (CCC, 2263)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The principle of Subsidiarity\u00a0\u00a0\u201cInsists on necessary limits to the State\u2019s intervention\u2026inasmuch as the individual, the family and society are prior to the state and inasmuch as the State exists in order to protect their rights and not stifle them\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n With self-defense being both a right and a duty, limitations on exercising this right should be approached with the utmost caution and discernment for both protecting this right and the common good.<\/span><\/p>\n Issues related to the Common Good:<\/span><\/p>\n The Common Good is a Result, not a Principle<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching and Sacrifice<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ending the Cycle of Violence<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n School Choice and Catholic Social Teaching<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Integral Development?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tIs Self-Defense a Right?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Yes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nIn Fact, Self-Defense is a Duty!<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty\". (CCC, 2265)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About the Sacredness of Life?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Incarnation reveals to us, with intense light and in a surprising way, that every human life has a very lofty and incomparable dignity.\" (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About \u201cThou Shall Not Kill\u201d?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"The Church\u2019s Tradition has always consistently taught the absolute and unchanging value of the commandment \u2018You shall not kill\u2019\u2026to kill a human being, in whom the image of God is present, is a particularly serious sin.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 54-55)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHowever<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Pope St. John Paul II notes that the Fifth Commandment \u201cimplicitly\u2026encourages a positive attitude of absolute respect for life\u201d. (Evangelium Vitae, 54)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhen Does Self-Defense Go too Far?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Church warns that \"If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful\". (CCC, 2264)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBottom Line<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
Every person \"can come to recognize the sacred value of human life...and can affirm the right of every human being to have this primary good respected to the highest degree.\" (Pope St. John Paul II, 2)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat About Gun Control?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
With self-defense being both a right and a duty \u201cExcessive intervention by the state can threaten personal freedom and initiative\u201d. (CCC, 1883)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t