Ben-Gvir expanded the right to bear arms

Itamar Ben-Gvir expanded the criteria for obtaining a firearm license for residents of nine communities near Tel Aviv. Now citizens of these communities can apply for a license without prior military service. Since Ben-Gvir took office, 250 communities have received the right to bear arms, 126 of them this year. Over 280,000 people have become license holders. Police are investigating the illegal approval of applications by five former employees of the minister's office.

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has expanded the criteria for obtaining a firearm license for residents of nine communities in the Tel Aviv area. The changes affect the communities of Kfar Chabad, Tzafria, Mishmar HaShiva, Zeytan, Nir Tzvi, Hemed, Yagel, Ahiezer, and Ganot, with populations ranging from 500 to 7,000. The main innovation is the removal of the military service requirement for obtaining a license; now it is enough to meet the basic criteria set by law. The step is being implemented ahead of the Knesset parliamentary elections and is part of the minister's policy of arming the population. Ben-Gvir, through his office, stated that "a gun in the right hands saves lives." Since taking office at the end of 2022, 250 communities have received the right to bear arms, with 126 approved this year alone, and over 280,000 people have become license holders. Demand for self-defense means has risen since the events of October 7, 2023. The ministry temporarily delegated licensing authority to the minister's aides and others, raising questions among law enforcement. Police have launched an investigation into five former Ben-Gvir staffers suspected of illegally approving applications.