Are we a people of peace or a people of violence? This is the first question which came to mind when I heard on talk-back radio the response to the recent gun attack on police in Christchurch. Yes, our police do need protection but do we really want police with holstered guns patrolling our streets? Aotearoa New Zealand is known around the world for our peaceful stance on nuclear weapons. We are also known as a country which practically supports peacekeeping by providing Defence Force teams in violent world arenas. Could this not be another opportunity to maintain our peaceful stance? There have been nine police shot in the course of duty. Very few, if any, of them would have been saved by a police person having a weapon immediately available since, like this recent case, they were shot without advance warning. Having a gun on the hip could lead to untoward outcomes as in the case of the man shot in Petone some years back. It turned out he was holding an iron bar, not a gun. We have a choice….an off the cuff, reactive response or a considered response from a peace filled, Christian point of view. The persons who feel strongly about criminal activity with guns have a loud voice. Dare we, as thoughtful Christians, counteract their immediate hard-line responses with a more reasoned, thoughtful response which would ensure police cars do carry a weapon in a locked box so if they are on patrol and are called to a situation where a gun is being presented they go in prepared, but not a response which demands arms for every police person?

God, help us to understand what peace and safety mean at a deep level when faced with daily violence.  Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

1 Comment

Patricia Kane
Jul 20, 2010 0:32