After many letters asking my views on bearing arms during these perilous times I contacted Lieutenant Paul Villanueva,
recently retired after 24 years of service in law enforcement, to give
his views on this topic and other concerns. Villanueva was a “use of
force” expert and defensive tactics instructor for the police
department teaching Police Officers arrest and control techniques along
with street survival tactics. Real life violence is no stranger to
him, but neither is the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Many Christians are concerned about the turbulent times in which we
presently live. They are wanting to protect their families from
“economic derived crime,” and are losing trust in their government to
protect them from terrorist elements. Many Christians are also
contemplating the possibility of being persecuted and killed because of
their Christian beliefs. Many see their America changing, and
wondering how to respond.
About guns as a self-defense weapon in the face of possible persecution
and death due to one’s Christian beliefs Villanueva cited 2Ti. 1:7
and said, “First, God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity.
He has given us a spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind. We
should never be ashamed of our testimony for Jesus Christ, and have
been told in Scripture that we'll share in His sufferings for spreading
the true gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. We suffer
according to His power, not our own.”
Villanueva continued to explain, “We can never forget that God is in
control of these end-time events and perilous times. Power, love, and
a sound mind come from trusting in our God as Savior. He saves us from
eternal damnation and gives us eternal life with Him. We must be
eternal minded. If we focus on this temporary journey on earth, we'll
get discouraged, fearful, and faint hearted. Rather, it is our eternal
reward that is truth by faith in Jesus our Savior. When Paul the
Apostle was imprisoned for his faith, he knew Jesus would be magnified
whether Paul lived or died. The apostle emphasised 'that to live is Christ, and to die is gain' (Philippians 1:21
). He could only see life through that perspective because he was
eternal minded. Paul’s circumstances were ordained by God, likewise
our present circumstances and future are in God’s hands.”
Villanueva told stories of how he'd experienced fear and terror first
hand and from his personal insights added: “An issue which needs to be
addressed is fear, that is what terrorists do best. They instill terror
whether it is a robber at the bank committing violence due to economic
derived crime or an Islamic jihadist bent on killing the infidels. We
can be prepared without living in fear and mistrust. Owning and using
a gun for self-defense is a personal choice and not for everyone. But,
if a Christian decides to own a gun for defense, their reliance, faith,
and trust can’t be on their mighty weapons of war, rather it must be on
God as the protector and deliverer.”
“For example, a Christian can save some money for a rainy day while
trusting in God for their sustenance. Or a Christian can horde money
in fear they'll be left poor and destitute, thus relying on their stash
to do the saving! It's a matter of attitude, trust, and belief in our
God as Father, husband, provider and protector. It is not the stashing
away of cash that is sin, rather the unbelief and mistrust in God.
Likewise, it is not the preparing for a violent attack that is sin,
rather the non-reliance on God. Isaiah 31:1 says, ‘Woe
to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust
in chariots because they are many, and horsemen because they are very
strong but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel nor seek the LORD!’”
“It is true we must OVERCOME, but not overcome the gang member or the
jihadist, but overcome our sinful natures through the washing and
sanctification of the Spirit. Revelation 21:7 says, ‘He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son.’ This spiritual overcoming is far more important than earthly overcoming.”
Villanueva talked of his pre-Christian days and how he got involved in
much to protect himself in his own strength and wisdom. But his views
changed as He learned that God calls the believer to rely on Him and
adhere to His Strength in all situations. He said, "Christians were
never called to form armed militias to overthrow the government to
bring in the reign of righteousness. That is not our job. That is
what Christ is going to do when He returns with thousands of His Saints
behind him, those believers who were raptured up to be with Him at His
wedding feast that is being prepared for His Bride (the true church).
He and His Bride will return after the tribulation to execute judgment
on all the ungodly (Jude 1:14,15 ). Yet, we were never called to be defenseless in a hostile world.”
On responding with arms Villanueva mentioned, “All four Gospels have the "Ear Incident"
where a disciple (John identifies him as Peter) takes a death blow
swing with a sword and cuts off Malchus’ ear while he and an armed mob
are attempting to arrest Jesus. In Matthew and in John, Jesus tells
the disciple to put away his sword, and even heals Malchus’ ear. Later
on in John 18:26,
Pilate was told that Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world or else His
servants would fight for Him. Clearly Jesus did not advocate military
power to bring forth His kingdom.”
“But, earlier, " Villanueva says, "before the Ear Incident, Jesus asked His disciples if they had lacked anything when He previously had sent them out without provisions (referring to Luke 10:1-20),
and they answered they lacked nothing. Then Jesus told them, ‘But now,
he who has a money bag let him take it, and likewise a knapsack, and he
who has no SWORD, let him sell his garment and buy one (Luke 22:36).’
The context relates to the disciples’ past and future missionary
journeys. Jesus is telling them that things are going to get bad for
you because of me. The world is going to believe that I am a
transgressor (Isaiah 53:12, Luke 22:37, Mark 15:28). You are going to
be in danger because of your alliance to me. So, make provisions and
get a SWORD.”
Villanueva suggests this applies to us today, he spoke of John 17
saying, "Jesus prayed for His disciples and asked the Father not to
take them out of the world, but keep them from the evil one while they
were in the world. This is where we are today. Verse 20 continues,
Jesus prayed, ‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who
will believe in me through their (the original disciples) word,’”
Lieutenant Villanueva talked candidly about the current state of Europe
and warned it could very well be America’s future too. There has been
a growing Muslim intimidation in Europe, and concern here in America that our president may be overly sympathetic to Muslim interests and Sharia Law. (see also- Islam: What the West needs to know dvd )
Additionally, the English government has deprived the people of gun
ownership rights, and there are concerns in America the new
administration will attempt to accomplish the same thing. Some believe
disarmed Americans could be easy prey for Islamic extremists.
When we speak of terrorists, jihadists, Muslims or Islamic extremists,
we are not referring to a person, a race, a nationality, or skin
color. We speak about an ideology, an Islamic belief system as written
in the Qu'ran which is explained in depth in our new DVD release by former Muslim terrorists, experts on Islam and former Muslims.
Regarding Muslim intimidation in Europe, The Brussels Journal
reported, “A member of England's House of Lords intended to invite
colleagues to a private meeting in a conference room in the House of
Lords to meet the Dutch politician Geert Wilders, an elected member of
the Dutch parliament, to watch his controversial movie Fitna and discuss the movie and Mr. Wilders’ opinions with him.”
Lord Ahmed, a British Muslim who sits in the House of Lords, threatened
Islamic Jihad if the Fitna film was shown, followed by any discussion
with Wilder, in order to stop the showing or any discussion about
concerns due to Islam rising in Europe. By using verses from the Quran
with some disturbing actual footage, the film depicts the violence and
hatred of the Islamic ideology, and its agenda for world domination.
The article continues, “He (Lord Ahmed) threatened to mobilize 10,000
Muslims to prevent Mr. Wilders from entering the House and threatened
to take the colleague who was organizing the event to court. The result
is that the event, which should have taken place next Thursday was
cancelled.”
Geert Wilders was detained and not allowed to enter England. His detention can be viewed on CNN. He talks to the cameras about his denial of free speech by the United Kingdom due to the treats of Muslim Lord Ahmed.
Lord Ahmed’s threat of violent Muslim mobilization did not sit well
with a populace that had been disarmed by their government. In England
, the people’s rights to bear arms were slowly eroded away, and they
gave up their firearms to the government under the guise of gun control
laws that were supposed to decrease crime. Today, as crime skyrockets
and the populace is left defenseless, they protest these oppressive
laws and urge Americans to hold onto their rights to self-defense
through gun ownership.
In the same vein of oppressive gun control laws, this video
tells a story of an English rural farmer who shot and killed a 16-year
old repeat offender that broke into his home. The farmer has now been
imprisoned for violating English anti-gun laws. A 30-year old man who
was with the boy, also a criminal repeat offender, was also shot, but
not killed. This 30-year old is now suing the farmer, while the farmer
is imprisoned for using a firearm to defend himself.
Is America following the same footsteps as Europe? There is no doubt
that American President Barack Hussein Obama supports gun control laws
in America, along with gun registration and licensing according to this video
of the 137th annual National Rifle Association conference. There is no
doubt that President Obama supported gun ban legislation as being
constitutional, and believes the 2nd amendment of our constitution can
be interpreted to impose “common sense gun laws” on the people as seen
in this Fox News video .
In a video dated December 5, 2007,
then Senator Barack Hussein Obama uses gun control language that is
very similar to what the citizens of England proclaim happened to
them. This clip reveals the intention of a slow eroding of rights to
keep and bear arms. Some Americans believe the government would like
to disarm them just like Europe did to their citizens. And to compound
the issue, some believe the new governmental administration will open
its doors to the radical side of Islamic ideals.
Lieutenant Villanueva recalls, “In 24 years in Law Enforcement with
many years assigned to street gang suppression and narcotics
investigations, I have never seen where disarming a citizen led to a
decrease in crime. The opposite is true. Sometimes the only thing
standing between a criminal entering a house or not is the possibility
of the homeowner being armed. This is why daytime burglaries far
outnumber the rare nighttime burglary, because the burglar does not
want confrontation with the homeowner. The guy who enters your home at
night while you are there is not intent on just stealing your
television, he wants much more. This is a dangerous man.”
“Why are people robbed in daylight?' asks Villanueva, "Because the
criminal knows people are not armed in public. Businesses are robbed
in daylight for the same reason. Now, I knew a pizza restaurant owner
who used to legally carry a large firearm on his hip while conducting
business. His store was in a crime ridden, drug dealing, gang infested
part of the city. He never got robbed. Never. Why? He was always
armed.”
“Criminals will always get guns regardless of the law, they do it now.
I have never arrested a gang member or drug dealer that had a gun
registered to him. They are all stolen or purchased off the streets.
Listen, cocaine is illegal for citizens to possess, but the criminals
have it. It is the same with guns.”
Regarding President Obama’s stance on gun control laws, Villanueva
commented, “Gun control laws are subtle. In Washington D.C., the anti-gun D.C. law,
like laws in Chicago and New York City, did not explicitly bar
handguns; but it required that all residents register them with the
city. How convenient for the city. Since they stopped registering
handguns in 1976, no one who hadn't registered by then could not have a
handgun at home. The result, effectively, is a ban. D.C.'s law also
bared residents from keeping any other firearm, such as a rifle or a
shotgun, loaded or assembled within their home. Citizens were made
defenseless in their own homes in one of the worst crime ridden cities
in America until a working armed security officer filed a lawsuit.”
“The good news is that now The Supreme Court on June 26, 2008,
made clear the interpretation of the Second Amendment. Individual
Americans and not just organized militia have the right to possess
firearms for hunting or for self-defense. The decision
upheld an earlier appellate court ruling, which struck down Washington,
D.C.'s 1976 handgun restrictions. The court struck down two of the
District of Columbia's gun control laws: first, its handgun ban and
second, its requirement that other firearms kept within a person’s home
be disassembled or have cumbersome trigger locks on them. What this
means for Americans is that it is clear that you can possess a gun for
self-defense purposes within your home without local government
restrictions. This places America further away from what happened in
Europe. So, for at least now, we are not heading in the direction of
Europe in becoming a totally disarmed populace.”
“What does this means for Christians who desire to own a firearm for
self-defense? It means that you can legally have guns in your home to
protect your families. It does not mean you have a right to carry guns
in public, or have a handgun either displayed or concealed. Each state
has its own laws restricting the carrying of weapons. These state laws
do not infringe on the Constitutional law to keep and bear arms in your
own home.”
Regarding the practical application of gun ownership and the laws
governing them, Villanueva cautioned, “Each state has its own laws
concerning the carrying of a concealed or open firearm. It is best to
fully understand your state’s firearm laws before commencing to carry a
gun in your car or on your person. For information, Wikipedia has a list of each states regulations.”
“In October 2008, The Washington POST
reported that gun sales in America had increased. They said the
increase could be attributed to the recession and fear of crime. Yet,
other reasons include concern that the new Government administration
would move toward eroding gun ownership rights. Many gun dealers,
buyers and experts attribute the increase in part to concerns about the
economy and fears that President Barack Hussein Obama will join with
fellow Democrats in Congress to enact new gun controls. But since the
Supreme Court decision in June 2008, those gun control laws will be
harder to enact,” Villanueva said.
Now considering the other issue of fundamental Islam ideology taking a
foothold in America. There is little doubt that our current
administration is more open and willing to listen to supporters of
fundamental Islam, and that some Muslims may consider President Barack
Hussein Obama a Muslim brother.
In a recent article in Forbes magazine titled My Muslim President,
author Asma Gull Hasan stated that many Muslims feel they have the
first Muslim president of America in Barack Hussein Obama. She relates
that because of Obama's middle name, Hussein, most of the Muslims she
knows can't seem to accept that Obama is not Muslim. She
wrote, “Although not an avowed and practicing Muslim, Obama's exposure
to Islam at a young age (both through his father and his stint in
Indonesia) has given him a Muslim sensibility. In my book, that makes
you a Muslim.”
With the government of the United Kingdom clearly opening up talks with
Hezbollah and the American government indicating willingness for open
dialogue with Iran, America may possibly be heading in the same
direction as Europe. Recently, the guardian news organization wrote, “Britain overturned its policy on a key Middle East issue yesterday by agreeing to talk to Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia movement which fights Israel and is banned as a terrorist organization by the US.”
Dialog is one thing, but opening up the doors for Islamic terrorism is
another. The downside to such policy could result in a tolerance for
Sharia Law and violence against Jews and Christians in America.
Fundamental Islam is not satisfied with talking, but with domination.
In this February 2, 2009 video,
Kuwaiti Professor Abdallah Nafisi talks about the possibility of an
Islamic Jihadist coming across the Mexican / USA border through
smuggling tunnels. The Jihadist with just four pounds of the
biological warfare agent Anthrax could kill 330,000 Americans in one
hour. He recommends that the Anthrax be spread on the White House lawn
to infect a high population area. He comments that the devastation and
amount of deaths would make the 911 killings small in comparison.
Interesting to note is Nafisi specifically mentions the weak Mexican
border to accomplish this mayhem. He talks about using “tunnels from
Mexico into the US.”
Villanueva had this to say about the Islamic terrorist threat.
“Obviously the guns in your house are not going to stop a biological
warfare attack, or a suicide bomber. This is why a Christian has to
trust in God. Our weak and virtually open southern border is
alarming. When I worked narcotics investigation, all the illicit
drugs, except for some northern California grown marijuana, came from
Mexico. In the 1980s, the cocaine trade was controlled by Columbian
drug cartels. Then they made deals with the Mexicans to use their old
marijuana and heroin smuggling routes. The Mexican cartels are just as
violent and closer to home. And with our new administration
considering easy amnesty laws for illegal immigration, we are heading
for a firestorm in criminal violence. Couple violent drug gangs with
Islamic terrorists working together, and we have a very unique national
security problem on our hands.”
“According to a Washington Post article
dated March 3, 2009, Mexico is behind only Pakistan and Iran as a top
U.S. national security concern. Mexico is more of a security threat
than Afghanistan and Iraq. Now that is alarming because Mexico is
right next door.”
“Once again I have to emphasize that God’s wrath on this world, the Day
of the Lord, is not for believers in His Son Jesus. Although we live
in trying times, we will be delivered from the wrath of the Lamb. 1Thessalonians 1:10 states, ‘Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.’ And Romans 1:18 declares, ‘For
the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.’ We are not appointed to the day of wrath, but certainly feel the effects of the trouble leading up to it.”
“The Prophet Isaiah predicted the Assyrian army invasion of Judah,
which devastated the city of Jerusalem and took the Jews captive. Yet,
he says something that we would be well advised to heed in our looming
crisis. ‘Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, the
strength of salvation. The fear of the LORD is His treasure.’”
Paul Villanueva, Lieutenant (Ret) can be reached for comments and further discussion at
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