Contempt for God's gift of life

A friend sent me something that got me thinking about the Christian arguments for pacifism vs. self-defense, so an essay on the topic is forthcoming. Here's what Jeffrey Snyder has to say on the issue:

One who believes it wrong to arm himself against criminal violence shows contempt of God's gift of life […], does not live up to his responsibilities to his family and community, and proclaims himself mentally and morally deficient, because he does not trust himself to behave responsibly.

From A Nation of Cowards.