National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir Expands Personal Gun License Eligibility to Beersheba Residents

On Sunday, Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir approved the inclusion of Beersheba in the list of municipalities eligible for personal firearm licenses. This decision allows tens of thousands of residents living on hundreds of streets in the city to apply for a gun license. However, residency in an eligible street does not guarantee automatic approval; each application will be evaluated according to legal criteria and conditions.

The move is part of Ben-Gvir's ongoing firearms reform, following professional assessments by the Israel Police and the Firearms Licensing and Control Division. Data shows a significant increase in recognized eligible municipalities in recent years: from six in 2021, none in 2019, 2020, and 2022, to 23 in 2023, 21 in 2024, 80 in 2025, and 126 so far in 2026. Since the reform's expansion, over 280,000 citizens have received personal gun licenses, and more than 200 municipalities have been recognized as eligible.

Ben-Gvir expressed pride in extending the reform to Beersheba, the Negev's capital, emphasizing the basic right of all Israeli citizens to protect themselves and their families. He also indicated plans to continue adding more cities, towns, and neighborhoods to the eligibility list, stating, "My policy is clear: guns in the right hands save lives." A detailed list of eligible streets in Beersheba was published alongside the decision, with residents required to meet all licensing conditions to qualify.