Israel’s government is relaxing some of its gun laws to allow qualifying citizens the right to defend themselves in ongoing terrorist attacks.
Only 2% of the Israeli population is estimated to own guns, although the number of those applying for gun licenses is on the rise.
In 2021, 19,000 Israeli citizens applied for a gun license. In 2022, 42,236 individuals sought an application.
“I carry a weapon for the simple reason that I won’t be defenseless. I will be able to protect myself and those around me,” said Hosha’aya Volman, a Jewish resident.
Under relaxed laws, applicants without a criminal or medical record only need a phone interview instead of a physical interview to obtain a gun license.
The updated policies also allow those who gave up their weapons after failing to have review training to receive their guns back.
Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, previously said that he wanted “more weapons on the streets, so that the citizens of Israel could defend themselves.”
Reporting from The Blaze:
Jeffrey Gunter, a former U.S. ambassador and a Republican Jewish Coalition board member, told Just the News, "There's a great desire of Israelis to protect their homeland. ... And I think along with that will be an increased desire to have gun ownership." In a response to a tweet from Donald Trump Jr., which suggested the recent attacks have highlighted the importance of the Second Amendment, Gun Owners of America wrote, "Israel JUST loosened firearm licensing, but many Israelis still don't live in an eligible region. Others simply cannot afford to wait a week for a telephone interview or need more than the allotted 100 rounds of ammo. A good first step, but Israel needs a Second Amendment ASAP!"
