It is too bad that some Israelis were carrying guns when the Palestinians attacked the concert on October 7th, 2023. Things might have turned out very differently. Benjamin Netanyahu had tried to push for loosing the gun control laws when he became prime minister earlier that year, but even though he had what was considered the most conservative government in Israel history, he could not get his coalition to back the changes.
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In 2025 in Israel, there are about 4,339,835 Jewish adults 18 and older. Prior to the October 7th massacre, there were about 118,000 permit holders (2.72% of the adult Jewish population). That was down a little from the 148,000 in 2022 and down substantially from the 340,000 in 2002. Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir relaxed regulations on October 8th, and since then the number of permits has soared by 217,000 (5.0% of the adult Jewish population). The 335,000 people who are carrying now represents about 7.72% of the adult Jewish population.
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Israelis have submitted over 403,000 requests for firearms licenses since October 7, out of which more than 217,000 conditional approvals have been granted, the National Security Ministry informs the Knesset National Security Committee.
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Out of the 217,000 conditional approvals, 165,000 permanent licenses have been granted, while 177,000 applications have been rejected, according to statistics presented to lawmakers. According to the ministry, around 335,000 Israelis currently hold firearms licenses. . . .
