[HK_UMP.45]

Long time lurker, 1st time topic starter. First, let me congradulate Oleg, Runt and all the fine mods that make this a superb board. I've found this section to be an excellent resource of US laws. From what I 've seen, there are a number of international members that browse THR too. Maybe someone knows what the deal is.

Considering that I may move to Israel in a year or two, I'm naturally interested in what the procedures are for buying guns. I've read something about getting a 'firearm permit' which has to be signed by a local LE official. Also its my understanding that a permit to own is a permit to carry. Does this apply to rifles and smgs too? :D
If anybody knows anything more specific, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance.

[NonServiam]

Check out JPFO (http://www.jpfo.org/israel-firearms.htm) ...

[Oleg Volk]

MicroBalrog is the guy to ask. Near as I can tell, gun ownership isn't easy unless you are in the army/reserves (loaner gun).

[HBK]

Ouch. Looks like Israel would benefit from a second ammendment like ours was intended to be...the whole "a rifle behind every blade of grass" scenario.

[MicroBalrog]

Okay, basically: Shall-issue licensing.
Ministry of the Interior can give licenses or take them away at whim, also creating regulations at whims. Currently, handgun licenses ( 1 handgun only) are for:
Ex military officers (Captain and up), taxi/bus drivers, professional guards, and inhabitants of "danger zones".
There's also some hunters (2 shotguns, one rifle max), and 2 or 3 collectors.
Airguns are licensed.
Oh, and no more than 50 round per year may bought, except those fired at ranges.
:fire:
4.4 percent of the population have gun licenses (260,000).
Note that about 5% of German Jews owned guns in 1938.

[HK_UMP.45]

NonServiam and MicroBalrog:
Thanks for the good data. I've been to JPFO in the past (remember 'ask the rabbi'?) but the Israeli law section must have eluded me. Not this time. In any case, I now have more questions than answers. :uhoh:

I was under the impression that everybody went into the army. If everyone has at least SOME training, why would only around 5% of citizens have permits? Are the issuing authorities simply tight-fisted? Do most permit holders reside in 'danger areas' (west bank/gaza/golan) and if so, is it terribly difficult to get a permit living in say, Tel Aviv or Mizpe Ramon for example?

When I go, I plan to declare Olech (english spelling?) and go straight into Army. From there, who knows but when my term is up, I will most likely settle near Jerusalem. I will also want to protect myself sufficiently. Is finding a range to qualify for rifle ownership a pain? Assuming I don't rise to Captain or above in Army, I might look into a 'collector' license. Do you know what the limits are for collectors?

It sounds like there are more hoops to jump through than here in the USA .

Again, thanks for any help you can give.

[MicroBalrog]

:banghead:
STUPID ME!
I meant to say "may-issue licensing".
For settling in Israel: DON'T.
Your best bet for gun ownership is being a Civil Guard volunteer for 3-5 years, these might get licensed for one.
They are very tight-fisted. Policy to prosecute people falling back on license renewal.
60% of applicants (and if you don't fit the bill, you can't apply).
However, some of us will start lobbying to change this soon, but we're unlikely to succeed.

Jerusalem is not a "danger area" except some parts of Gilo (only those houses facing Beit-Jalla:fire: ).

Nearly every adult settler (most of the Golan is not a danger area AFAIK) has a gun license. Only those tel-aviveans who have viable cause have guns, and than not all. Remember, 260,000 licenses does not mean 260,000 licensees - a friend of mine holds five different licenses, and the licensing process for collectors is very tough - AFAIK there's less then ten collectors, all of whom got licensed before 1992 before the Ministry of Interior slammed the door on that one.

[WilderBill]

Given the suicide bombers, what part of Israel is NOT a danger zone?
Dose the government not grasp the concept of armed citizens being the first line of defense? :banghead:

[MicroBalrog]

They are the ISRAELI GOVERNMENT! When they implement a REASONABLE gun measure, the sky will fall!:banghead:

[scotjute]

This is interesting. I had always pictured Israel as the place where the farmer plowed his field with his rifle slung over his shoulder and the settlers traveled about armed for self-protection. Guess my picture is way incorrect!
They definitely have a different mindset than we do!

[Oleg Volk]

From what I can tell, a lot of people have guns but they don't own those guns. If the Israeli govt. wants to call back the loaner weapon, the person affected is out of luck. That is the main reason why I decided against visiting Israel. I have many friends there but simply can't stand going to places where I can't wear my personal sidearm like a free human.

[MicroBalrog]

O.K., I'll clarify.
Settlers (on the terrirories) have both owned guns (handguns) and armoried with gvt. weapons - assault rifles, mostly. They also have a few militia-type "preparedness squads"

The civil guard are let out semi-auto carbines.

Most everybody else who can own guns owns handguns, Glocks mainly (since Austria banned export, they are the No.1 popular gun). Oleg - nothing bad will happen if you spend two weeks without you gun. Come over! I'll be glad to serve as your guide.

[moa]

Does being a non-Jewish citizen of Israel disable that citizen from owning a or acquiring a firearm?

I understand about 20% of the Israel population are Palestinians who are both Muslim or Christian. Apparently, some of them are subject to the Israeli military draft.

Any information on this?

[Sam Adams]

The restrictions are pretty sickening, esp. given the terrorist situation there. My brother lives in Jerusalem, and has told me of the restrictions (he has a license to carry, and does).

When he told me about Arabs from the next village over firing randomly at the houses in his development I said, "So, what did you guys do about it?" I was shocked when he said "nothing, the army (which has a base just up the road) didn't think it important enough." I told my brother that those Arabs are lucky that I'm not there, because I'd either countersnipe them with my .308 Remington 700, or get a few guys together and do a raid. He said that those things were discussed, but not too seriously, as the government would've pulled everyone's licenses, confiscated their guns and hauled them off to jail. Sickening, just sickening.

This is what happens when Socialists control the mindset of the country, and there is no 2nd Amendment equivalent. We had all better be VERY careful about what we allow our employees to get away with here, as we are not too far from the poor conditions that Israeli gun owners face.

[MicroBalrog]

You are technically wrong. 18% of the population are Arabs (that doesn't include Palestinians - i.e., residents of the PNA, who do not have Israeli national I.D.
There's no "arabs can't have guns statute" officially, but they can, of course, deny license to whoever they want, without giving a reason.