Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Monday approved personal gun permits for residents of 41 Jerusalem neighborhoods, making more than 300,000 Jews in the holy city eligible to obtain a gun amid the ongoing war with Iran.
According to a report by The Times of Israel, the move essentially amounts to universal eligibility for a gun license for all residents of Jerusalem, regardless of whether they are or have been members of the Israeli security forces.
“Right in the shadow of war and during Ramadan, the residents of Jerusalem have a fundamental right to defend themselves and their families,” the minister said, calling on residents of Jerusalem to obtain a firearms license.
“Firearms in the hands of responsible citizens are an important part of enhancing personal safety and enabling the first response to terror and crime,” Ben Gvir reflected, adding, “In many cases, a gun in the hands of citizens has been proven to help thwart attacks and save lives.”
“I call on the residents of Jerusalem: Go get a gun license. Guns save lives!” the minister said in a statement, urging the city’s residents to apply for a permit as soon as possible.
The 41 Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem for which the move was announced will join Har Nof, Givat Shaul, Neve Yaakov and Gilo — four neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city — as areas in which residents are eligible to obtain a gun license.
The move comes amid growing demand for access to firearms, which has been strong since the October 7, 2024, attacks by Hamas that killed over 1,000 Israelis.
Following the October 7 attacks and increasing requests for weapons permits, the Ministry of National Security also granted temporary powers to Ben Gvir’s personal staff, some Knesset staff, and others to approve applications for weapons permits.
The move is also a continuation of the firearms policy under Ben Gvir, who has armed over 240,000 Israelis since his appointment – an “unprecedented number”.
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