Israel Expands Personal Gun Licensing to Nine New Central Towns

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has approved the expansion of personal firearm licensing eligibility to nine additional towns in central Israel. The new towns include Kfar Chabad, Tzafria, Mishmar HaShiv'a, Zaytan, Nir Tzvi, Hemed, Yagel, Achi'ezer, and Ganot. Residents of these communities can now apply for gun licenses, provided they meet the legal criteria established by Israeli law.

Ben-Gvir emphasized the policy's goal, stating, "My policy is clear: a weapon in the right hands saves lives." He described the move as part of an ongoing "gun revolution," aimed at enabling more citizens who meet the requirements to protect themselves and their families. This expansion reflects a broader shift in Israeli security policy following the October 7 attacks.

Since the start of 2026, a total of 126 towns have been added to the list of those eligible for personal gun licenses, a significant increase compared to previous years. For context, only 23 towns were added in 2023, 21 in 2024, and 80 in 2025. Overall, 250 new towns have been included in the eligibility circle since early 2023, marking an unprecedented expansion of the gun licensing reform led by Ben-Gvir.