The Israeli police have sent out a call, asking Jerusalem’s citizens who own guns to join the official civilian auxiliary patrols (“Mishmar Ezrachi”) to help guard the city, according to Israel Army Radio.
Gun license applications are at a high right now, and this week the Gun License Bureau’s website crashed from all the traffic.
Nefesh B’Nefesh has provided the following information for Olim applying for a gun license from the Ministry of Public Security.
Please note: NBN does not assist in getting gun licenses and you should address all inquiries directly to the Gun License Bureau.
Citizens who apply for a firearm license are subject to a number of criteria:
-Residence in Israel for three years from the date of Aliyah
-Minimum age of 27, not including those who served in the IDF or national service where the minimum age is 21
-Basic reading and writing skills in Hebrew
-No criminal record, approved by the Israeli police department
-Health declaration signed by a physician
Licensing Procedure:
-Submission of the application and the medical declaration
-Personal interview with the licensing clerk
-Receiving the recommendation from the police and Ministry of Health
-Receiving the license
-Training on the firearm
-Paying the license fee
Historically, Israeli civilians have been responsible for neutralizing many of the Arab terrorist attacks. It is actually unusual that in this round of the war, it has been the police that have killed most of the terrorists. This may be the result of fewer Israelis carrying weapons after the government reportedly made gun licensing more difficult.
E., an Oleh from the US, told JewishPress.com that even though he has completed the licensing process, the actual final appointment to sign some more forms in front of the clerk and physically receive his license is still only months away. E. said, “the procedure itself is not difficult, it is just a very slow and needlessly drawn out process.”