How do you obtain a firearms license in Israel?
These days, many people are considering applying for a firearms license in Israel. Naturally, the tense security situation and the frequent waves of terrorist acts are a factor in this. The requirements for obtaining a firearms license in Israel are quite complicated, and this deters many people from looking into their eligibility. However, it is important to know that in the last few years the legal prerequisites have eased up significantly, allowing hundreds of thousands more Israelis to obtain firearms licenses. Those who wish to obtain a firearms license must take certain steps in order for their application to succeed. In this article, attorney Michael Decker, a partner in our office and an expert on firearms licenses and civil law, provides an extensive explanation.
The right to carry firearms in Israel is not a vested right
There are many advantages to the fact that Israeli citizens with relevant training and skills carry licensed firearms. Both for the armed person and for the public as a whole, having alert, armed individuals on site when a terrorist act or a security event occurs can save lives and help significantly to prevent danger. Past experience shows that many terrorist acts, such as the terrorist act in Be’er Sheva in March 2022, were foiled by civilians with a firearms license. However, unlike in other countries such as the USA, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, the criteria for carrying firearms in Israel are quite strict. It is not a natural right, or a vested one; rather, it is granted by the Ministry of Public Security and is subject to prerequisites and supervision. In addition, many applications for firearms licenses are rejected, due to applicants misunderstanding the requirements, even though they may be eligible to receive a license. It is important that people seeking a firearms license be deeply familiar with the subject, and seek the assistance of an experienced attorney if needed. Here is some important general information that anyone seeking a firearms license should be familiar with.
How does the procedure of obtaining a firearms license work?
One of the significant problems in obtaining a firearms license in Israel is that a large portion of the requirements that must be met appear only in internal regulations of the authorities. As a result, citizens do not fully understand the process and what is required of them to meet the prerequisites. In order to begin the process, you must submit an application for a private firearms license to the Firearm Licensing Department in the Ministry of Public Security. The application can be submitted independently, or via an attorney representing the applicant.
Once the application is submitted, it is thoroughly reviewed to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria. At the same time, the application is also reviewed by the Ministry of Health and the Israel Police. Recommendations from the police and from the Ministry of Health are among the basic criteria. However, meeting the basic criteria is not enough. Applicants must receive appropriate training at a licensed shooting range as an additional condition for receiving the license. Even if they pass the shooting range successfully, the final decision regarding issuing the license remains with the Firearms Licensing Department, which may reject an application even after the applicant has passed the required training and received recommendations from the other authorities.
What are the criteria for obtaining a firearms license?
The criteria for obtaining a firearms license in Israel are made up of basic prerequisites and additional criteria that must be met. Those interested in a firearms license must be citizens or permanent residents for at least four years. Their age must be at least 27, or 21 if they have completed army service or national service. In addition, they must be deemed fit to carry firearms by the police and in terms of their health. In addition, they must meet the criteria from a list determined by the Ministry of Public Security. The list includes, among other things, living or working in eligible settlements, serving mandatory service in the security forces, working in recognized rescue organizations, and having a personal recommendation from the Israel Police. For an extensive explanation on the subject, see another article published on our website on the conditions for obtaining a firearms license in Israel.
Should you seek an attorney’s assistance in submitting and processing the application?
As we have mentioned above, a firearms license application is quite a complex procedure, legally speaking, partly due to the fact that the prerequisites that must be met are not fully public. For instance, the list of eligible settlements, whose residents and workers may have a high chance of receiving a firearms license, is not entirely public, for security reasons. In addition, applications are often rejected due to technical issues, such as the documents being submitted incompletely or filled out incorrectly.
In many cases the Firearms Licensing Department rejects applications without specifying the reason for rejection, which does not inform applicants whether they are ineligible, or whether they may have the option to appeal the decision and obtain the desired eligibility for a license. For all the reasons mentioned above, and others, it is recommended to seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in firearm licenses. An attorney with the required experience and proficiency will know how to assist the applicant in submitting the application and the attached documents in the proper way and in preparing for the various tests (such as the mental fitness test), as well as offering legal guidance throughout the procedure in a way that will maximize the chances of the application being approved.
Firearms license in Israel – contact an attorney specializing in firearms licenses
Above we have explained in detail how to obtain a firearms license in Israel. Clearly, it is a complicated procedure. If you have questions or need guidance or assistance on the subject, you can contact an attorney from our offices who has expertise in this area. Our attorneys have extensive experience in assisting clients in the application procedures for firearms licenses and representing them before the authorities and legal courts. You can contact us at the telephone numbers and e-mail address below to arrange a consultation with an expert attorney from our office, in Jerusalem or in Tel Aviv.
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