National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved on Sunday the addition of the southern city of Beer Sheva to the list of areas eligible for private firearm licenses. The minister clarified that eligibility doesn’t cover the entire city but rather a specific list of streets, and that approval isn’t automatic—applicants must still meet criteria and conditions set by law.
After review by Israel Police and other professional bodies, officials decided to approve firearm eligibility for hundreds of streets in Beer Sheva. The decision effectively allows tens of thousands of residents to apply for licenses. “The residents of Beer Sheva, like all citizens of the State of Israel, have a basic right to defend themselves and their families,” Ben-Gvir said.
Eligibility data for private gun licenses shows a sharp upward trend thanks to the gun reform, presenting a real revolution in civilian preparedness for terror attacks. For comparison, during 2021 only 6 communities were recognized as eligible, compared to the past two years during which over 100 communities were added. Another figure shows that since the reform’s expansion, more than 280,000 citizens have been armed according to law.