Just War Principles

and 

Gun Violence Prevention

Do the historical JUST WAR PRINCIPLES (JWP) contribute to the epidemic of gun violence in our nation? We usually consider JWP when addressing military actions of nation against nation. But is there a correlation between the JWP and civilian gun violence? Let's take a look.

A JUST WAR (JW) CAN BE INITIATED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT.

ALL NONVIOLENT OPTIONS MUST BE EXHAUSTED BEFORE THE

USE OF FORCE IS JUSTIFIED.

Homicide is a last resort. The shooter believes there is no other way forward. Talk will get you nowhere. The shooter feels the other person wants to do him/her harm. Act now before the other can kill you. Kill or be killed. Similarly, I feel there is no hope, no positive reason for living so I will kill myself to relieve myself of my pain.

THE JW CAN BE INITIATED ONLY BY A LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY

I am the legitimate authority. I make the rules. My gang gives me permission. I/We am/are power to myself/ourselves. I have the gun. I make the decision to kill myself. 

THE JW MUST REDRESS A WRONG OR BE IN SELF-DEFENSE

The shooter believes the other person has violated and injured them. The other has encroached on his/her rights and poses a threat to his/her personal way of life or to their territory. My "wrong" is that I have been created. I must rid myself so others can feel at peace. 

THE JW HAS A REASONABLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS

I can eliminate the other person or group through surprise, good tactics and adequate firepower. I know how the other person or group moves and where they occupy. I can win. A gun insures me of a 95% success rate in killing myself.

THE GOAL IS TO RE-ESTABLISH PEACE

My space, my home, my turf will be peaceful when I eliminate the outside threat. The other person or group is disturbing my peace. I will cancel their menacing presence. The world, my family will be better off with me gone. I cause too much grief and unhappiness.

A JW IS PROPORTIONAL TO INJURY SUFFERED

The other person or group wants to destroy me. They have guns or can easily gain access to a weapon. All types of weapons are available to the other person or gang. Others have done violence to me so I am going to make them pay.

WEAPONS USED MUST DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN THE INNOCENT

AND THE RIGHTFUL TARGET

It is too bad if the innocent are in the wrong place at the wrong time. I must take action when the other is vulnerable. In this way there is less chance of me being hurt. Do the action and get out. People should not hang out with the "wrong" people. I will only hurt myself.  I will not take another's life.

Do the historical JWP contribute to the epidemic of gun violence? Yes. Each principle can provide justification for gun violence. Violence occurs when reasons justify violence. Reasons are easy to create. 

I believe JWP have contributed to a culture of justified violence in all facets of life: personal, community and national, homicidal as well as suicidal. JWP have provided convenient moral reasons for violence. Hence, the entire scope of JWP needs to be called into question. The JWP are "green lights" for carnage.

PEACE!