Israel Expands Gun License Eligibility to Nine New Communities Including Kfar Chabad

The Israeli Ministry of National Security, led by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has approved nine new communities in the Shdot Dan Regional Council as eligible for personal firearm licenses. The newly recognized localities include Kfar Chabad, Tzafria, Mishmar HaShiv'a, Zaytan, Nir Tzvi, Hemed, Yagel, Achi'ezer, and Ganot. This decision follows a thorough professional review by the Israel Police and the Firearms Licensing and Control Department.

Residents of these communities can now apply for personal gun licenses, provided they meet the legal criteria and conditions. This move is part of a broader reform that has significantly expanded firearm license eligibility across Israel. Since the reform's expansion, over 280,000 citizens have been granted personal firearm licenses, and more than 200 communities have been recognized as eligible.

The data shows a sharp increase in recognized communities over recent years: from six in 2021, none in 2019, 2020, and 2022, to 23 in 2023, 21 in 2024, 80 in 2025, and already 126 in 2026. Minister Ben-Gvir emphasized the ongoing nature of this policy, stating, "We continue the gun revolution and expand it to more and more communities across the country. Residents of Kfar Chabad, Tzafria, Mishmar HaShiv'a, and other Shdot Dan communities are entitled to protect themselves and their families. We will keep adding communities to eligibility and enable as many citizens as possible who meet the criteria to defend themselves. My policy is clear: guns in the right hands save lives."