Commission considers relaxing handgun permits (Israel)

Jerusalem Post ^ | 12/27/01 | Haim Shapiro

[technochick99]

JERUSALEM (December 27) - An Interior Ministry commission established to reexamine policy for issuing personal firearms permits intends to liberalize the criteria, ministry spokeswoman Tova Elian said yesterday.

However, Elian said, once recommendations are submitted, they have to be approved by Interior Minister Eli Yishai, and face possible review by the High Court of Justice.

Elian was reacting to media reports that the commission's report, to be submitted by Deputy Interior Minister David Azulai, will recommend settlers retain their permits for arms even if they are under investigation for attacks on soldiers, policemen, and Palestinians.

In addition, the reports said, settlers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are to receive permits as soon as possible, without the usual waiting period. Complaints by Palestinians against settlers are to be examined with utmost suspicion before a decision is made to confiscate a firearm. In some cases where a firearm is taken by police for a ballistics test, an substitute weapon will be issued, according to the commission's upcoming recommendations.

Elian said that, although there is clearly an intention to liberalize the regulations, the recommendations have yet to be submitted to the minister. Because the present regulations were issued in response to a petition to the High Court of Justice by women's groups, there might have to be judicial review of any new regulations.

MK Zehava Gal-On (Meretz) requested an urgent debate on the initiatives in the Knesset Interior Committee.

"The decision will allow every citizen to hold a gun, 'Wild West' style," she said. "The responsibility and sole authority to protect the citizens of Israel is in the hands of the law enforcement agencies, which must follow very clear regulations about opening fire."

She said she considers the matter to be "very grave" and recommended that Deputy Minister of Internal Security Gideon Ezra, and Deputy Minister of Interior David Azulai confiscate the guns of settlers who shoot Palestinians.

[goldstategop]

Israel is an armed yet polite society. More Israelis should be allowed to carry concealed guns to save lives. The Commission should relax the criteria for issuing handgun permits so individuals of good character can get a gun without unnecessary waiting needed to approve a permit. And contrary to the Israeli Left it will cut down on violence in the territories by deterring Arab terrorist attacks upon Jews.

[weikel]

I thought they all carried automatics in Israel.

[weikel]

All armed societies are polite societies.

[sheik yerbouty]

For some years, the police used a 9mm revolver.

[Gritty]

MK Zehava Gal-On... "The decision will allow every citizen to hold a gun, 'Wild West' style," she said. "The responsibility and sole authority to protect the citizens of Israel is in the hands of the law enforcement agencies..."

It appears Israel has her very own Sarah Brady!