Israel eases arms regulations allowing hundreds of thousands to carry guns

Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan stated that Israel has eased the criteria for the obtainment of personal gun permits, which is expected to lead to hundreds of thousands of Israelis applying for a license.

The law is for new license applicants and holders of existing licenses.

Israel Defense Forces infantry-unit veterans and active police officers will also be able to apply for gun permits with an easy process.

In a statement Erdan said, “Many citizens have saved lives during terror attacks, and in the era of ‘lone-wolf’ attacks, the more qualified gun-carrying citizens there are, the better the chance to stop terror attacks without casualties and reduce the number of casualties.”

According to the new gun regulations that went into effect on Monday, Israelis who have held a firearm permit for 10 years and more will be able to keep their guns permanently without any periodic test.

Some Israel police volunteers and rescue organization members will also be eligible for permits.

Speaking to Haaretz daily and supporting the new gun policy Knesset's Gun Lobby head Likud MK Amir Ohana said, "A civilian carrying a weapon is more of a solution than a threat, and doubles as assistance for the security forces."

There were those who opposed the regulation as well: Joint List MK Dov Henin slammed the policy saying, “Welcome to the war zone,” he said. “More weapons mean more violence, more accidents, and more wounded and dead. The trend should be the opposite: a reduction in the presence of weapons in the civilian space in Israel – which is too high, and certainly not an expansion of it.”

As a result of the new weapons policy, it is expected that more than 500,000 Israelis will be eligible to receive permits to buy and carry handguns.