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. 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.
- The
Universal House of Justice (The ‘Notes’ section of the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
