Beersheba Adds Hundreds of Streets to Private Gun License Eligibility Under National Reform

The Israeli Ministry of National Security, led by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has approved the inclusion of hundreds of streets in the southern city of Beersheba as eligible for private firearm licenses. This decision is part of the broader "Gun Reform" initiative aimed at increasing civilian preparedness for terror attacks. The eligibility applies specifically to designated streets rather than the entire city and requires applicants to meet legal criteria and conditions.

Following assessments by the Israel Police and other professional bodies, the reform now allows tens of thousands of Beersheba residents to apply for private gun licenses. Minister Ben-Gvir emphasized the fundamental right of all Israeli citizens, including those in Beersheba, to protect themselves and their families.

The reform has significantly expanded the number of eligible communities, with over 100 new localities recognized in the past two years compared to only six in 2021. Since the reform's expansion, more than 280,000 citizens have been legally armed, marking a substantial increase in civilian readiness for security threats.