As Hamas war rages, personal firearm activists see surge in interest
BY Herschel Smith6 months, 2 weeks ago
Relaxing Israel’s restrictive gun license laws has long been championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, as well as some libertarian-leaning right-wing politicians, but it is an issue that has not gained much traction, despite occasional reports of high-level discussions on the issue.
Gun control in Israel is relatively strict, and firearm licenses are generally only granted to those who can show a need for extra security in their line of work or daily life. Meaning, one of the key criteria for a private citizen to receive permission to own a gun is where they live.
That could now change, says Rabbi Raz Blizovsky, 32, of Katzrin, an activist who has been part of grassroots discussions around personal arms.
“People are changing their opinion, and now there is more awareness,” he told The Times of Israel. It doesn’t make sense, he said, that someone in Tel Aviv cannot get a pistol, but someone in the Golan can. “There are terror attacks in both places,” he stressed.
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On Sunday morning, one day after the Hamas assault began, Blizovsky started several WhatsApp communities for those who wish to have easier access to personal weapons. They have drawn some 4,000 members in 24 hours. An online petition he created, in order to press the government on the issue, garnered some 8,000 signatures in the same timeframe.
If more people had access to personal firearms, the horrific scenes coming out of the Gaza-adjacent communities could have been averted, he opined. Many people have contacted him in recent days who wish they could get a weapon, he said, including members of the Druze community, many of whom served in the IDF in combat positions, but then after their service, are not able to qualify for a license.
Free men don’t ask permission. Governments don’t oppose and prevent gun ownership because they care about the people. They do so because they’re afraid of the people.
And it’s too little, too late. You get guns and ammunition BEFORE this sort of thing happens, not in response to it.
When “interest” becomes demand and the people ignore their government, things will change.
There should be no such thing as permitting or licensure of firearms anywhere on earth.
On October 11, 2023 at 1:02 pm, scott s. said:
I would imagine the gov’t is afraid of its arab minority, which due to demographics will grow in size in the future.
On October 11, 2023 at 9:47 pm, Phil Ossiferz Stone said:
You are correct, of course. However, a fifth of the population of Israel are Arabs. Letting a potential fifth column arm itself without scrutiny is suicidal, and I don’t think the Israelis are into that right now.
On October 13, 2023 at 12:17 am, george 1 said:
Diversity plus proximity equal war. It has always been thus. We will have that point driven home in a big way.
On October 14, 2023 at 8:29 pm, Daniel K Day said:
I wonder how much trouble an Arab in Israel really has had procuring a firearm, if he really wanted one, regardless of the laws.