Weapons Reform: Hundreds of Streets in Southern City Join Eligibility Circle

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved the inclusion of Be'er Sheva in the list of cities eligible for private gun licenses, but not for the entire city—only for hundreds of specific streets. The decision was made after review by the Israel Police and professional factors, allowing tens of thousands of residents to apply for a license. The minister emphasized the basic right of residents to defend themselves. Eligibility data is on the rise: in 2021 only 6 localities were recognized, and in the last two years over 100 were added. Since the reform's expansion, over 280,000 citizens have been legally armed.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved today (Sunday) the inclusion of the city of Be'er Sheva in the list of cities eligible for private gun licenses. However, it was clarified that this is not a blanket eligibility for the entire city, but rather a specific list of hundreds of streets, and eligibility is not automatic but subject to meeting criteria and conditions set by law. The decision was made after review by the Israel Police and other professional factors, and its practical meaning is that tens of thousands of residents will be able to apply for a gun license. Minister Ben-Gvir said that the residents of Be'er Sheva, like all Israeli citizens, have a basic right to defend themselves and their families. The article notes that eligibility data is on the rise thanks to the weapons reform, presenting a revolution in home front preparedness for terrorist events: in 2021 only 6 localities were recognized, compared to over 100 in the last two years. It was also reported that since the reform's expansion, over 280,000 citizens have been legally armed. The report does not include reactions from opponents of the reform or civil factors, nor does it present comparative data on the rate of incidents where private firearms helped in dealing with terrorism.