"What does the Church teach about the private ownership of fire arms by the the civilian population for the purpose of self - defense?''


A snippet from:

The November - December - 2010 edition of This Rock magazine. Ms. Peggy Fry provides us with the answer to this one.

"The Church does not have a definitive teaching on the private ownership of firearms.

"However, the Church does support the right to possess firearms for the legitimate defense of the common good of the family."

Ms. Frye now quotes from the following document:

Holy See Delegation to the International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in all Its Aspects, July 11, 2001.

Here's what she quotes from this document:

"Unfortunately, however, it is impossible to ban all kinds of small arms and light weapons.

"In a world marked by evil ... the right of legitimate defense by means of arms exists.

"This right can become a serious duty for those who are responsible for the lives of others, for the common good of the family or of the civil community.

"This right alone can justify the possession or transfer of arms..."

-- Peggy Frye --