Ben Gvir expands gun license eligibility in 9 Tel Aviv-area communities ahead of election

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has extended gun license eligibility to nine small communities near Tel Aviv, his office announces, amid its push to expand civilian possession of firearms ahead of the upcoming Knesset election.

The decision applies to Kfar Chabad, Tzafria, Mishmar Hashiva, Zeitan, Nir Zvi, Hemed, Yagel, Ahiezer and Ganot. Kfar Chabad is home to about 7,000 people, Ganot is home to roughly 500 people and the other communities have about 1,000 residents each.

Residents of the nine communities may now apply for a firearm license in accordance with legal criteria, regardless of whether they served in the armed forces.

Ben Gvir, who has long touted his bid to put guns in the hands of civilians, said in the statement from his office, “My policy is clear: Guns in the right hands save lives.”

According to the statement, since Ben Gvir took office in late 2022, his office has designated 250 communities as eligible for firearms, 126 of them this year alone.

More than 280,000 people have received gun licenses following his push to expand eligibility, Ben Gvir’s office says.

Requests for gun permits surged in Israel following the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023.

The National Security Ministry granted temporary authority to Ben Gvir’s personal staff, Knesset employees and others to hand out gun licenses in the wake of the onslaught. Five people who previously worked in Ben Gvir’s office were subsequently investigated by police on suspicion that the ministry inappropriately issued licenses.

Charlie Summers contributed to this report.