Christianity and Self-Defense

 A lot of people think that there is a disconnect between owning and using firearms (or guns or weapons or bang-bangs or whatever you choose to call them) and being a committed, God-fearing, Bible-believing Christian. “After all,” they say, “aren't guns used to kill? Doesn't the Bible say, ‘Thou shalt not kill.’? Aren't Christians supposed to trust in God to protect them?”
 My first response is to remind them that the Hebrew word rendered “kill” in Exodus is ratsach, which is more accurately defined “murder” — ’nuff said.
 Second, when someone questions my trust in God, I remind them that Christians are also to rely on God for all provision...from food to clothing to shelter. Are you trusting in God when you go to work to earn money to buy food and clothing and shelter? Of course you are; you are relying on His wisdom and providence in providing you the skills and opportunity to work. Paul admonished the Thessalonians in 2Thes 3:6-15 that Christians are to work while awaiting Christ's return and that “if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2Thes 3:10). [OK, fight urge to go off on rabbit trail about welfare state...fight it...phew!]
 Sounds to me like trusting in God is making good use of the tools and skills He provides us. I have found nothing in the Bible that contradicts this where self-defense is concerned, with a notable exception:

If someone (individual, group, government) persecutes us or ridicules us or threatens our very lives because of our refusal to deny Christ, we are NOT to respond with force and are to be thankful we have been counted worthy to suffer for His sake (Acts 5:41, Philippians 1:29, 1Peter 3:13-17). This is the teaching of "turn the other cheek" in Matthew 5:39.

 BUT, we are obligated to protect and defend the precious gift of life that God has granted us from any that would take it for any other reason. (If you feel you have found scripture that says otherwise, please present your case...I'm all for open, honest debate.) In Luke 22:36, at the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples, “...But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.” [emphasis added]
  There are only two legitimate, designed uses for a sword — attack and defense. By the way, the sword of Christ's day was the ancient equivalent of an AK-47 or M-4 carbine...the BEST weapon available at the time. But I digress.
 I'm sure there are other verses of scripture that could be called-on to answer the criticism (Nehemiah 4:17-18 describe what could arguably be considered the predecessors of the Navy Seabees), but I've already run WAY too long on this first posting. I'll be back soon.