You are incorrect to say that it is hypocritical for Christians to own weapons for self defense. The Old Testement clearly allows killing in self-defense. Exodus 22:2-3 excuses anyone from bloodguilt who kills a nighttime intruder, but not a daytime intruder. Why the distinction? It seems reasonable to assume that the killing was allowed only in protection of life, not property. In the dark of your house at night, you can't see if the intruder has a weapon. In addition, breaking into a house at night means the thief knows there are people in the house, and thus is probably prepared for violence. A daytime thief is presumably trying to avoid the occupants, and can be driven off without killing. Christ did not come to abolish the law, especially its moral tenants, though certain laws were meant to apply only to the Jewish nation. The moral tenant of self-preservation remains.
Jesus is not a pacifist. He drove the money changers and animals from the temple with a whip. Revalation tells us that the final judgements will be violent.
However, Jesus did indeed tell us that if someone strikes us on our right cheek, we should never retaliate, but should turn the other cheek. However, a slap on the cheek is not an assualt with intent to kill. Jesus did not say "If someone stabs you on your right side, let him stab you on your left side." Consider being struck on the "right cheek." If the person doing the hitting uses his right hand, it is a backhanded blow. Jesus clearly meant that if the act is intended to insult and degrade we should never retaliate or act in vengence. He did not tell us that we should submit to death by random street crime, rather than protect ourselves.
Another member of the board has done a good job of addressing the subject, and I suggest you take a look:
http://www.donath.org/Rants/BiblicallyArmed/
Jesus is not a pacifist. He drove the money changers and animals from the temple with a whip. Revalation tells us that the final judgements will be violent.
However, Jesus did indeed tell us that if someone strikes us on our right cheek, we should never retaliate, but should turn the other cheek. However, a slap on the cheek is not an assualt with intent to kill. Jesus did not say "If someone stabs you on your right side, let him stab you on your left side." Consider being struck on the "right cheek." If the person doing the hitting uses his right hand, it is a backhanded blow. Jesus clearly meant that if the act is intended to insult and degrade we should never retaliate or act in vengence. He did not tell us that we should submit to death by random street crime, rather than protect ourselves.
Another member of the board has done a good job of addressing the subject, and I suggest you take a look:
http://www.donath.org/Rants/BiblicallyArmed/