Yesterday, JewishPress.com reported that the Israeli police are looking for armed citizens to join “Mishmar Ezrachi” (Civilian Auxilary Patrols), and then we gave some background information and a link to a Nefesh b’Nefesh (NBN) page with information on applying for a gun license with the Israeli Gun Licensing Bureau.
We want to take this opportunity to clear up a few misunderstandings.
For all the Olim calling up Nefesh B’Nefesh (a wonderful organization that helps many Olim) – the information on their page is for informational purposes only. Nefesh B’Nefesh cannot assist with the gun application or licensing process.
Furthermore, we want to clarify a few more important points that may have confused some Olim who have been calling up NBN since that article was published.
— You cannot apply for your gun license on the plane and receive it with your Teudat Zehut when you land – you must reside in Israel for 3 years from the date you made Aliyah.
— Ditto for applying for a gun license at the Consulate in New York before you make Aliyah.
— You cannot convert your US gun license into an Israeli gun license. It’s not like a driver’s license, and even driver’s licenses aren’t automatically converted anymore.
— If you can’t read the gun license application form, you can’t apply for a gun license, as basic knowledge of Hebrew is a prerequisite. If you need to ask NBN for help with the form, you probably shouldn’t be filling it out.
— NBN does not offer special protekzia to help shorten your gun license application’s processing time. It’s slow. The government apparently wants it that way.
— You cannot take a gun onto the plane or in your lift (without special preauthorization). This should be self-evident, but just in case it’s not, we’re telling you.
As an aside, while new guidelines came out today as to who can get a private gun license, they aren’t much different than the old guidelines.
Now, all IDF officers can apply regardless of rank, policemen with 2 years on the force can apply, and citizens in certain towns may have a better chance of receiving a license than before – but we yet haven’t seen which towns or cities those might be.
If you aren’t yet deterred, you can apply for a gun license at this link to Israel’s Gun Licensing Bureau, and to be clear, not with or through Nefesh B’Nefesh.