In the recent vice-presidential debate, Senator J.D. Vance highlighted a critical issue— the growing concern over illegal firearms in the United States, which he attributes to the porous southern border under the Biden administration, particularly pointing to Vice President Kamala Harris’ border policies. Vance said, “We know that thanks to Kamala Harris’ open border, we’ve seen a massive influx in the number of illegal guns run by the Mexican drug cartels.”

However, fact-checkers have pointed out that there is no concrete evidence of a “massive influx” of guns being smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. Instead, data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) suggests that the opposite problem exists—the flow of firearms from the United States into Mexico. While this may seem like a counterpoint to Vance’s claim, there is an essential context to explore that aligns with the values of truth, freedom, and the rule of law.

The Crisis at the Southern Border: A Complex Problem

While it is true that the ATF data highlights that American guns are smuggled into Mexico, this doesn’t negate the reality of the border crisis fueling the cartel’s power. The Wilson Center’s report reveals that Mexican drug cartels have access to weapons and ammunition that they procure mainly from the U.S., and use these arms to carry out heinous acts of violence both in Mexico and, indirectly, in American communities. There is no denying that these cartels exploit the chaos at the border to increase their illicit activities, and firearms are just one part of that equation. So while Vance’s specific phrasing may be called into question, the underlying point stands: the U.S. southern border is a major conduit for illegal activity, and gun trafficking—whether into or out of the country—is part of that equation.

Conservatives have long argued that strong border security is not merely about preventing illegal immigration, but about upholding law and order. Cartels thrive in an environment where borders are unchecked, laws are unenforced, and political will is lacking. What we are witnessing today is a lack of control and accountability at the border, resulting in illegal drugs, human trafficking, and, yes, firearms flowing in both directions across the border. This is why Vance’s criticism resonates with many on the Right—because it draws attention to the broader issue of border security and the need for stronger leadership to address it.

The Misguided Focus on Guns, Not Evil

On the opposite end of the political spectrum, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has attempted to shift the conversation toward guns themselves, claiming, “sometimes it’s just guns that are the problem.” This assertion, however, misses a fundamental truth: guns are not inherently good or evil, but are tools that can be used for either.

As Christians, we understand the human condition. Sin is at the root of the violence we see, not inanimate objects like firearms. People, in their fallen nature, can choose to use guns for evil, just as they can choose to use them for good, such as in the defense of life, liberty, and property. The biblical worldview teaches that morality is not dictated by objects, but by human actions. In Matthew 15:19, Jesus reminds us, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” The heart of man is the source of violence, not the tools he uses.

Therefore, calls to blame guns for societal violence are both simplistic and misleading. This is why conservatives oppose sweeping gun control measures—because they fail to address the actual problem, which is the human capacity for evil. Instead of restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens, we should be focusing on the real issues: mental health, family breakdown, and the cultural erosion of moral values that lead to violence.

Upholding the Second Amendment and Personal Responsibility

The right to bear arms is about more than self-defense; it’s about maintaining the freedom and responsibility granted to us by God. Our Founders understood that an armed populace is a safeguard against tyranny, and it is this principle that undergirds the Second Amendment. To suggest that guns themselves are the problem is to suggest that we should surrender our God-given rights for the illusion of security, when in reality, the root causes of violence—broken families, drug addiction, and lawlessness—remain unaddressed.

The ATF’s data on crime guns, revealing that “nearly all crime guns” used in the U.S. were originally purchased legally, should not lead to a knee-jerk reaction to restrict gun rights. Rather, it underscores the importance of responsible gun ownership and law enforcement working to track down those who misuse firearms. Law-abiding gun owners overwhelmingly respect and follow the law, and it’s only a small fraction of criminals who obtain guns through illegal means that are responsible for gun violence.

Conclusion

While the fact-checkers may contest Vance’s specific claim about cartel-supplied guns in the U.S., the larger issue of border security and illegal activity cannot be ignored. We are witnessing the tragic consequences of a porous southern border and lax enforcement that empowers criminal cartels. Simultaneously, blaming guns for violence, as Governor Walz suggests, ignores the moral dimension of human agency and sin.

We must stand firm in defending both our borders and our constitutional rights. Ultimately, the answer to gun violence lies not in vilifying firearms, but in addressing the deeper spiritual and societal issues that drive people to commit acts of violence. We must return to a culture that values life, personal responsibility, and the rule of law, while rejecting simplistic solutions that target objects rather than addressing the root causes of human evil.