Ben Gvir Expands List of Areas Eligible for Personal Weapon Ownership

SadaNews - Israeli Minister of National Security, Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir, announced the inclusion of Kiryat Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Gan Yavne, Tel Mond, and the Megiddo regional council in the list of areas eligible for personal weapon licenses. This will allow around 100,000 additional Israelis to obtain weapon licenses through expedited procedures.

According to the Makan news website: "This decision comes despite increasing criticisms of the intensive weapon distribution policy, as the number of weapon license applications has skyrocketed by hundreds of percentages since Ben Gvir's policy was implemented. So far, hundreds of thousands of applications have been submitted, and tens of thousands of weapons have been purchased, bringing the total number of licensed weapon holders to about 250,000 Israelis."

The website added: "The rising crime rate raises concerns that these expansions in granting weapon licenses may lead to an increase in domestic violence victims."

Ben Gvir responded by saying: "The policy we are leading has saved many lives and proven effective on the ground. Its goal is to empower law-abiding Israelis to protect themselves and their communities. Today, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, Gan Yavne, Megiddo, and Tel Mond join the list of towns where we enhance personal security through licensed weapons, emergency response teams, and reinforced deterrence."