If you've been around the religious right subculture, undoubtedly you've heard a passage in Luke 22 used to justify unlimited access to guns in contemporary America. This passage includes these instructions from Jesus to his disciples: "If you don't have a sword, buy one." The reasoning, we're told goes like this: Jesus wanted his disciples to have swords. Swords were the most powerful weapons an individual could own in the first century, which equates with AK47s in today's world. Therefore, Jesus wants us to have AK47s. While this line of thought connects dots that I don't believe were ever meant to be connected- and ignores Jesus saying that two swords for the twelve of them was plenty, the hint that the need for swords was to fulfill prophecy not to be used for violent purposes, and Jesus' saying "He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword" that very same evening- let's suppose it's correct.

These instructions come after the disciples had followed Jesus for years. Early in their discipleship, he gave these instructions: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt." Luke 9:3. No mention of any weapons in these instructions. "Take nothing," he said. For two and a half to three years... There's only one reasonable theological conclusion. Jesus believed in waiting periods before buying weapons. Really, really long waiting periods.

Furthermore, this command to carry swords was given only to the 11 Apostles. Judas had already left the building. 11 guys he hand picked and gotten to know very, very well. Hundreds of people were following Him, but only11were ever instructed to be armed. Not Nicodemus. Not Bartimaeus. Not Mary Magdalene. Not even Mother Mary. Only 11out of hundreds. Obviously, Jesus believed in extremely tough and thorough background checks that less than 10% could pass before one should own a weapon.

I want to be clear that these 'scriptural conclusions' I'm drawing are just as sketchy as the religious rights' conclusions about the Luke 22 passage being a free pass to unlimited weapon possession. At least I'm willing to admit it.

To read a very interesting take on this topic (and less sarcastic) check out the following article:

https://holyspiritactivism.com/2013/01/18/why-did-jesus-tell-the-disciples-to-buy-two-swords/