The Church has been outspoken in its condemnation of the intrinsic evils of abortion and euthanasia.

The Church constantly reminds Catholics that while capital punishment is moral, its use should be rare and carefully weighed.

The Church teaches that defense of self and family is a right and at times a duty.

As long as the means are legal and do not invariably cause death the Church is silent about how that self-defense is accomplished. The Church provides the moral principles, the faithful make prudential judgements.

There is no one in the Catholic Church who is an expert on firearms, which is the province of the faithful.