Ben-Gvir Expands Pistol Licenses to Communities Nationwide
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved an expansion of eligibility for personal firearm licenses on Sunday, adding several cities and regional communities across Israel as part of the government’s ongoing firearms reform.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved an expansion of eligibility for personal firearm licenses on Sunday, adding several cities and regional communities across Israel as part of the government’s ongoing firearms reform.
The newly eligible locations include Caesarea, Arad, and Rosh Pinna, along with multiple communities in the Upper Galilee and Emek Hefer regions. The update also extends to several kibbutzim and rural areas in central Israel, reflecting what officials described as a continued geographic broadening of the policy.
The inclusion of Caesarea is notable, as members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s family reside there, making them among those now eligible to apply for personal firearm licenses under the revised criteria.
The expansion follows a broader shift in firearms policy implemented after October 7, 2023, which significantly widened access to personal weapons for civilians meeting eligibility requirements. According to official figures, more than 250,000 Israelis have received firearm licenses since the reform was introduced, marking a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Ben-Gvir has consistently argued that expanding civilian access to firearms strengthens public security, stating that residents have a fundamental right to defend themselves and their families. He has pointed to recent security incidents as evidence of both the threats facing civilians and the role armed civilians can play in responding to attacks.
Last month, the National Security Ministry approved the inclusion of 41 additional neighborhoods in Jerusalem, affecting more than 300,000 residents. That decision followed a review conducted by Israel Police and the Firearms Licensing Division, which assessed local security conditions and eligibility criteria.
Officials said the latest expansion was carried out in accordance with existing legal requirements and subject to standard licensing conditions. The ministry has encouraged eligible residents in newly added areas to apply for permits under the updated framework.
The reform has also coincided with a rise in the number of women applying for and receiving firearm licenses, according to ministry data, reflecting what officials describe as increased public engagement in personal and community security.