Carrying weapons

Forbidden to carry arms unless "essential", as when living in a dangerous environment, but not in U.S. at present (see self-defense)

"It hath been forbidden you to carry arms unless essential, and permitted you to attire yourselves in silk."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 159)

"Bahá'u'lláh confirms an injunction contained in the Bayán which makes it unlawful to carry arms, unless it is necessary to do so. With regard to circumstances under which the bearing of arms might be "essential" for an individual, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gives permission to a believer for self-protection in a dangerous environment. Shoghi Effendi in a letter written on his behalf has also indicated that, in an emergency, when there is no legal force at hand to appeal to, a Bahá'í is justified in defending his life.

(Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note no. 173)

"Of course the above principles apply also in cases when a Bahá'í finds himself involved in situations of civil disorder. We have, however, advised the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that under the present circumstances in that country it is preferable that Bahá'ís do not buy nor own arms for their protection or the protection of their families."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, May 26, 1969: Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, p. 26, in Lights of Guidance, no. 399)

Although (even) some countries facing increasing civil disorder discouraged from buying or owning arms, pioneer family living in a remote area lacking protection (and being robbed at home) may own arms if the law permits

"We have your letter of March 2, 1972 asking if ... a pioneer couple living in a remote area lacking police protection may have a weapon in their possession for defending themselves as thieves have broken into their house twice and robbed them.

...Although we have advised certain National Assemblies in countries facing increasing civil disorder that it is preferable that Bahá'ís do not buy or own arms for their protection or the protection of their families, we feel that in the circumstances you have outlined in your letter it would be permissible for the pioneer family to keep a weapon in the house, provided the law permits."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras, March 20, 1972, in Lights of Guidance, no. 400)

Permissible to carry arms where people hunt for food and clothing; or in certain sports (e.g., archery, marksmanship, and fencing)

"QUESTION: Concerning hunting.

"ANSWER: He saith, exalted be He: "If ye should hunt with beasts or birds of prey" and so forth. Other means, such as bows and arrows, guns, and similar equipment employed in hunting, are also included. If, however, traps or snares are used, and the game dieth before it can be reached, it is unlawful for consumption."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Question no. 24)

"There are a number of other situations in which weapons are needed and can be legitimately used; for instance, in countries where people hunt for their food and clothing, and in such sports as archery, marksmanship, and fencing."

(Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note no. 173)

Forbidding the carrying of arms unless essential is one of the new Bahá'í teachings; minimizes ease at which anger can become violent; also a part of bloody revolutions

"Eighth: Relative to the carrying of arms except in time of necessity. This ordinance is not to be found in other religions, but in the Bahá'í religion it is considered as one of the imperative and essential commands. The great utility of this law is most evident and manifest. How many souls who are not able to control excessive anger have given vent to it by the use of arms ready at hand? If the murderer had not been armed, often after one hour the violence of his anger would have subsided and no crime would have resulted. These are the minor evil results of carrying arms. There are other greater evils continually manifested by people who carry arms; which are productive of great revolutions and excessive losses for the government and nations. The details of this are not in keeping with brevity and are conducive to prolongation, nevertheless the afflictions of the nations and the ordeals of the people are evident to men of perception."

(Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl, Brilliant Proof (a book commended by 'Abdu'l-Bahá for reading, memorization, and reflection), under "New Bahá'í Teachings")

The Gospels' statement of buying a sword was figuratively about eloquence

The Master replied: "In the Gospels the Christ said to His disciples, 'He who has no sword let him go and buy one.' [Luke 22:36.] This had not a literal meaning. The sword which He meant was the eloquent tongue, like the one spoken of in Isaiah as the two-edged sword. This symbol is used because a sword cuts and separates, and in this sense it separates wrong from right. The Christ meant this. Peter did not understand, therefore Christ ordered him to sheathe his sword, thereby showing plainly that His reference to the sword was a spiritual one."This content belongs to Pilgrim's notes, notes known not to have an original language text or transcript and which "may be interesting but not authoritative" to Bahá'ís

(Mary Lucas, A Brief Account of My Visit to Acca, p. 35)

See also

• Hunting
• Peace
• Self-defense
• Force
• Police