With security tensions on the rise, Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev has decided to update the criteria for granting a license to carry personal weapons.
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Israel has recently experienced four shooting attacks, a number of stabbing attacks, and riots that have taken 15 lives and wounded around 40 people. At the start of the terror wave, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on Israelis with gun permits to bear arms.
Bar-Lev announced the move, which will require approval from the Knesset's Public Security Committee, at the end of a discussion on the issue Monday.
In accordance with the decision, those who served in operational positions in the Israel Police will be able to get their license to carry a weapon, subject to existing conditions. Among Border Police officers alone, the move could potentially see an additional 1,200 gun licenses issued each year.
In a statement, Bar-Lev said, "The decision was aimed at correcting a distortion that prevented Border and Israel Police officers from receiving private weapons licenses after discharge. This is an absurd situation as these fighters and police are highly trained on the use of weapons, in particular in populated areas – a situation we have unfortunately encountered in recent terrorist attacks."
He said a "high level of expertise" with weapons was necessary to contend with terrorists, "and this response can be provided by those who served as fighters in the Border Police and Israel Police."
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