[caveat emptor]

They have to fend off terrorists daily. The occasional nut wouldn’t even get his foot in the door.

Israel is a special case. The occasional nut is unlikely to have a firearm.

Unlike in the United States, where the right to bear arms is guaranteed in the Constitution’s Second Amendment, Israel’s department of public security considers gun ownership a privilege, not a right. Gun owners in Israel are limited to owning one pistol, and must undergo extensive mental and physical tests before they can receive a weapon, and gun owners are limited to 50 rounds of ammunition per year.

Not all Israelis, however, may own guns. In order to own a pistol, an Israeli must for two years have been either a captain in the army or a former lieutenant colonel. Israelis with an equivalent rank in other security organizations may also own a pistol.

In addition, residents of West Bank settlements, and those who work there, may own pistols for self-defense.

Other groups of Israelis, such as professional hunters and sharpshooters, or people transporting dangerous goods, may also own firearms. And Israelis may keep unloaded guns they inherited or received as a gift.

Lior Nedivi, a former police officer, said that despite Israel’s militarized society, neither soldiers nor veterans engage in extensive gun violence because 18-year-olds are tested for mental and physical fitness before being drafted.

The regulations for gun ownership became stricter following the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995. Before that, there were virtually no restrictions on gun ownership.

[apoliticalone]

“Israel is a special case. The occasional nut is unlikely to have a firearm.”

Actually we shouldn’t care about Israel and their special case. Instead we need to only care about our American/USA rights to be armed and not ever have that right infringed upon by others. The discussion about Israel and their laws means absolutely nothing to me. The media is trying to deflect and conflate our USA rights with another country.

[Biggirl]

Also, most Israelis have had served in the IDF as well.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Since almost every Israeli citizen serves, as well as there being guns galore to steal, this is not much of a barrier.

[junta]

I remember Sharon in 2000 walking up some religous relics stairs and behind him were dozens of civies with Galils. I’ll take a Galil over a handgun. But congrats on Israel on being the first unarmed mid east country, what an accomplishment.