Nefesh BNefesh

Over the past few years, Misrad Hapnim (Ministry of Interior) has tightened the regulations for gun ownership. Currently an Oleh Chadash can apply for a pistol license subject to a number of conditions:

• The applicant must have resided in Israel for three years, after his date of Aliyah
• The applicant must be living in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria)
• The applicant must pass a Hebrew test
• The applicant cannot have a criminal record
• The applicant must pass a medical checkup.

Only a single pistol can be owned by an individual, and permits for gun collections are extremely rare - and typically only available to high ranking officers.

A pistol can be bought at licensed gun stores in Israel, and new and used weapons are available. After leaving a deposit at the gun store, an application is made to the Ministry of Interior.

Subject to the above conditions, it takes about 3 months to receive an answer. The applicant is directed to pass a weapons training course and a medical checkup.

Upon receiving the license, the applicant returns to the gun store and after completing payment for the weapon, takes ownership. A weapon kept at home must be double locked. It is worthwhile to purchase a gun lock and secure it to a cement wall in the home. If a pistol is stolen or lost, there are severe consequences.

Upon receiving the license and your pistol, familiarize yourself with Israeli law as to what constitutes self defense. The laws in Israel are significantly different to those in the USA. The police are not lenient when a weapon is discharged by a civilian or soldier.

If you own a pistol in the USA, and expect to be living in the West Bank, it is best to either sell the weapon, or place it in storage in the US for three years, before applying for a gun license in Israel as well as an import license. DO NOT attempt to import the weapon in your luggage or shipment, as at best it will be confiscated and placed in storage for three years at your expense, and at worst you will be arrested.

Air rifles are considered a weapon and will be confiscated if you attempt to import them. Rifles of any kind cannot be owned or imported. Only those persons in the security forces in Israel, can carry a rifle.

There are firing ranges in Israel (indoor and outdoor) where you can practice with your weapon. Advanced weapons training courses are available.

For individuals who are not licensed: Many of the firing ranges offer supervised use of pistols which belong to the range, and ammunition can be purchased. This does not require any licensing procedure.