The Hypocrisy of False Protection

Is the owner of this home threatening me?

I don’t have a problem with guns. I have a problem with those who flaunt them.

I grew up in Western Pennsylvania. Guns were everywhere in this sportsmen’s state when I was coming of age. The high school was closed on the first day of buck season. It was part of the culture and history of the area. It’s in the region’s DNA. I have friends and family who are gun owners. My father owned guns. All kinds. I never owned one and probably never will. But I understand the gun owner. I really think I do.

What I don’t understand is the hypocrite who believes he must prove his patriotism or his religious convictions by bragging that his gun ownership somehow makes it okay to threaten a neighborhood. Who unmistakably believes the First Amendment and Second Amendment permit him to openly, publicly boast about his pseudo-manhood, or show his self-described toughness through the steel barrel of a firearm.

This sign is hanging on the fence of a home just a block away from my house. In the yard is another sign, touting Christian beliefs, how Jesus can show all of us the way, can save us.

Please.

I grew up Catholic. Went to Sunday school. Mass and First Communion. I’m not a practicing Catholic these days. Much has moved me away from the church, yet not away from spirituality. I believe in a higher power of some kind. But it’s mostly a mystery to me and probably always will be. Still, because of my upbringing, I think I understand those who believe religion is an important element for a good life. Whatever gets you through the night, I’ve always said.

But help me understand how a “Christian” is also a threatening, gun-wielding bully?

That’s exactly what he is. Or she. I don’t know this neighbor, only that a family lives there, a young-ish family with children. I’ve never had a moment to say hello, to talk about the weather, the Cubs, or ask about those signs. So maybe I’m making assumptions. I want to be fair. But something is definitely off when you hold the Bible in one hand and the index finger of the other is on a trigger.

Is the sign illegal? Is it not a clear threat? Sure, First Amendment rights. I believe in them strongly. My entire career in journalism has been fueled by them. But when you threaten, does it not cross a line?

In a report noted in Christianity Today, the link between gun owners and God was made clear.

“In the US, white evangelicals were more likely than members of other American faith groups to own a gun (41%) and more likely to say it made them feel safer (77%), according to the Pew Research Center. More than half of white evangelicals (57%) said protection was the single most important reason they own a gun.”

Who am I to question how one relates to safety? I don’t know someone’s personal history with crime or what kind of dangers they’ve experienced. Who knows that they may have had to face. But why God and guns? Why this strong link? Why does the crucifix have to be linked with, say, a Glock 17?

““Some gun owners believe God has called them to defend themselves against Satan and his evil ways, which might require firearms,” wrote the authors, who published their findings in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

Other research shows that this strong bond between guns and God is very much an American thing. Those who share the same faith in other countries and cultures do not have this linkage. This is clearly a Christian-American trait, fueled, maybe more by our Wild West history than our religious history.

Whatever is going on here, the sign in my neighborhood is still there and is still troubling. Is it illegal? Don’t know. I sent a photo of the sign to the local police. I don’t usually do this sort of thing, but this one galled me. I have no predictions for what local law enforcement might say, but I’m prepared for the likelihood that there isn’t a damn thing anyone can do about it.

Last note . . .

I found this online. Says it all.

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David W. Berner is the author of several books of award-winning fiction and memoir. His debut poetry collection, Garden Tools is due out in pre-sales in June and officially released this fall by Finishing Line Press. His novella, American Moon will be published by Regal House Publishing in 2026.