Bill shouldn’t be law

The Stand Your Ground bill presently being considered by our Legislature should not become law. There are many things about these statutes in general, and this version in particular, that trouble faith leaders throughout our state. In general, statistics indicate that these laws increase the number of gun-related deaths where they have been enacted. The proposed bill would in all likelihood increase the death toll in Arkansas by an even greater margin because it explicitly states that an attempt to retreat to safety is not necessary before firing one’s weapon and killing another human being. In other words, an armed person can shoot and kill someone even if they could have retreated to a safe place, and face no penalty for that action.

I am a theologian, not a politician. It matters not to me which political party supports or opposes this bill. What does matter to me is that its passage will cause more gun-related deaths of God’s children. Every person is created in the image and likeness of God, and is, therefore, precious in God’s eyes. Humans are sacred because they necessarily contain within themselves some part, or essence, of the God who created them. The loss of any life is tragic, but it would be exponentially more tragic if it could have been avoided simply by retreating to a safe place. I am sure God grieves at the loss of precious life. I imagine God’s grief would be, and is, even deeper when such loss is avoidable.

In my Christian tradition, Jesus says that those who are compassionate, merciful, and God-centered are blessed. He also says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” I pray that our legislators, when considering this bill, will do so from a God-centered, compassionate and merciful perspective. It is my hope and prayer that in the end they will come down on the side of being peacemakers rather than opening the way to further violence and killing. CB BAKER

Pine Bluff