Handgun carry in Israel

bentcursor · November 19th, 2006, 11:23 AM

Well, it's been a while since I last posted and I thought it was time I check in and say hi.

As you may remember, my family and I moved to Israel this past summer and I had to give up my beloved Glock 30, since new immigrants to Israel are not allowed to own guns for 3 years after moving to the country.

(32 months to go...32 months to go...32 months to go...

)

I just found out some good news - a new immigrant can volunteer for the national police force and after 6 months can be granted a permit to carry. So I may be able to carry much sooner than 3 years. There's an extensive volunteer corp throughout the country, and volunteers are armed and have almost full police powers to assist the police in patrolling neighborhoods, traffic control, etc.

In the meantime, I am drooling everytime I see a private citizen walking around with a handgun on their waist. Yup, that's right - if you do get the permit to carry, you can carry open. All types carry - men, women, senior citizens, college students. There are limitations as to who can carry, but basically, once you get the permit to carry, you can carry...anywhere...

...even at work. Several co-workers carry at work, and there's nothing a company can do to stop them. In fact, companies LIKE the fact that some employees carry as it's a great deterrent and provides an extra layer of security in the workplace.

At my kids' school, the principal carries, as do several teachers. And here's the kicker - on the school grounds is a firing range, open to the public and used by private citizens, army reservists, police, etc. Also, at each entrance to the school is an armed guard.

When you go to the mall, your bags are checked before you enter the mall, your car trunk is checked for suspicious items, and most men are asked if they are carrying a weapon (yes, I know it's sexist, but profiling really DOES work). I answer "no" when asked, and kind of give a forlorn sigh afterwards to let the guard know that I really wish I could say "yes"! If you are carrying a weapon, you have to show your permit and that's that. You can carry in the mall, you can carry in synagogues, you can carry in schools, you can carry in government offices, you can carry anywhere.

That's the whole point - the government wants its citizens to be a vital part of everday security.

People are kind of lax in how they carry. I've seen several people carrying with the gun just stuck between their waistband and their body without any holster. Most people carry with an inside the waistband holster, and a few have some nice leather rigs.

From what I can tell, all guns are semi-autos; I haven't seen a revolver yet. Most people also don't seem to care what type of gun they're carrying; most likely, they carry the gun they can afford. I've seen S&W's, Berettas, and Glocks. I haven't had the guts to go up to people and ask them about their guns; part of my reluctance is my poor command of Hebrew. But there are some people in my neighborhood who I'm friendly with and I plan to grill them about their guns and carrying when I get the chance.

Despite the media's portrayal of Israel as a besieged country, life here is very pleasant. Even during the Lebanese War this past summer, people went on with their lives and you would never have known there was a war going on in the north, by the number of people out for a stroll or shopping in Jerusalem. You get used to being checked by security guards before entering a store or a restaurant. Like I said, in Israel they check you before you go into the store because they're looking for terrorists; in the US they check you as you're leaving the store cause they're looking for shoplifters.

So hopefully real soon I'll be carrying again - since I won't have to worry about concealment. I might go for a full size Glock, although I still think the Glock 30 will be my best bet for ease of carry, capacity, and ease of concealement if I have to.

Regards,

Ben

Colin · November 19th, 2006, 11:28 AM

My understanding is that the Israelis don't normally carry pistols with a round chamberd, is that the norm there?

Sonic Misfit · November 19th, 2006, 11:31 AM

Hi Ben. Thanks for the insight on Israel.

It is nice to see that there is one place in the world with some sanity as it applies to gun laws. I wish our government would take a lesson from this.

srfl · November 19th, 2006, 11:56 AM

Thanks for checking in with us Ben....be safe out there, sir.

If you join the PD....good luck....and keep your head down!

bentcursor · November 19th, 2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin

My understanding is that the Israelis don't normally carry pistols with a round chamberd, is that the norm there?

I don't know about the unchambered round, but I can ask around. Doesn't seem like a good tactic in any case.

P95Carry · November 19th, 2006, 12:07 PM

Hello Ben - good to have the update - can't believe so much time has already flown by.

Keep up the reporting - it's fascinating to get the first hand feedback.

Dave James · November 19th, 2006, 12:11 PM

ben , the training they do and pistols they have used over the years, is why they go with chamber empty, It is the norm there.

As I was told you can own 2 handguns and one rifle, don't know if that's changed

pogo2 · November 19th, 2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentcursor

At my kids' school, the principal carries, as do several teachers. And here's the kicker - on the school grounds is a firing range, open to the public and used by private citizens, army reservists, police, etc. Also, at each entrance to the school is an armed guard.

This is a rational approach to the problem of school security, and protecting against the type of school shootings we have in the US. In most of the US, teachers, administrators and parents are prohibited from carrying in a school, leaving the children defenseless. This makes no sense at all, and encourages school shootings.

Utah is the only US state I know about that permits teachers, administrators and parents to be armed on school property. And I don't believe Utah has experienced any school shootings.

retsupt99 · November 19th, 2006, 12:19 PM

from Florida to Israel...
Thanks for the input...
It's refreshing to know that SOMEBODY understands REAL security...

Maybe people here will wake up...when (not if) the SHTF...for some it may be too late...

OMO

ret

CombatEffective · November 19th, 2006, 01:16 PM

My understanding is that the military and police there carry without a round in the chamber. I don't know if that is common among the population there.

November 19th, 2006, 11:23 AM	#1
bentcursor Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maale Adumim, Israel Posts: 112	Handgun carry in Israel Well, it's been a while since I last posted and I thought it was time I check in and say hi. As you may remember, my family and I moved to Israel this past summer and I had to give up my beloved Glock 30, since new immigrants to Israel are not allowed to own guns for 3 years after moving to the country. (32 months to go...32 months to go...32 months to go... ) I just found out some good news - a new immigrant can volunteer for the national police force and after 6 months can be granted a permit to carry. So I may be able to carry much sooner than 3 years. There's an extensive volunteer corp throughout the country, and volunteers are armed and have almost full police powers to assist the police in patrolling neighborhoods, traffic control, etc. In the meantime, I am drooling everytime I see a private citizen walking around with a handgun on their waist. Yup, that's right - if you do get the permit to carry, you can carry open. All types carry - men, women, senior citizens, college students. There are limitations as to who can carry, but basically, once you get the permit to carry, you can carry...anywhere... ...even at work. Several co-workers carry at work, and there's nothing a company can do to stop them. In fact, companies LIKE the fact that some employees carry as it's a great deterrent and provides an extra layer of security in the workplace. At my kids' school, the principal carries, as do several teachers. And here's the kicker - on the school grounds is a firing range, open to the public and used by private citizens, army reservists, police, etc. Also, at each entrance to the school is an armed guard. When you go to the mall, your bags are checked before you enter the mall, your car trunk is checked for suspicious items, and most men are asked if they are carrying a weapon (yes, I know it's sexist, but profiling really DOES work). I answer "no" when asked, and kind of give a forlorn sigh afterwards to let the guard know that I really wish I could say "yes"! If you are carrying a weapon, you have to show your permit and that's that. You can carry in the mall, you can carry in synagogues, you can carry in schools, you can carry in government offices, you can carry anywhere. That's the whole point - the government wants its citizens to be a vital part of everday security. People are kind of lax in how they carry. I've seen several people carrying with the gun just stuck between their waistband and their body without any holster. Most people carry with an inside the waistband holster, and a few have some nice leather rigs. From what I can tell, all guns are semi-autos; I haven't seen a revolver yet. Most people also don't seem to care what type of gun they're carrying; most likely, they carry the gun they can afford. I've seen S&W's, Berettas, and Glocks. I haven't had the guts to go up to people and ask them about their guns; part of my reluctance is my poor command of Hebrew. But there are some people in my neighborhood who I'm friendly with and I plan to grill them about their guns and carrying when I get the chance. Despite the media's portrayal of Israel as a besieged country, life here is very pleasant. Even during the Lebanese War this past summer, people went on with their lives and you would never have known there was a war going on in the north, by the number of people out for a stroll or shopping in Jerusalem. You get used to being checked by security guards before entering a store or a restaurant. Like I said, in Israel they check you before you go into the store because they're looking for terrorists; in the US they check you as you're leaving the store cause they're looking for shoplifters. So hopefully real soon I'll be carrying again - since I won't have to worry about concealment. I might go for a full size Glock, although I still think the Glock 30 will be my best bet for ease of carry, capacity, and ease of concealement if I have to. Regards, Ben

November 19th, 2006, 11:56 AM	#4
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,421	Thanks for checking in with us Ben....be safe out there, sir. If you join the PD....good luck....and keep your head down! __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

November 19th, 2006, 12:07 PM	#6
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Hello Ben - good to have the update - can't believe so much time has already flown by. Keep up the reporting - it's fascinating to get the first hand feedback. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

November 19th, 2006, 12:19 PM	#9
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,868	Greetings... from Florida to Israel... Thanks for the input... It's refreshing to know that SOMEBODY understands REAL security... Maybe people here will wake up...when (not if) the SHTF...for some it may be too late... OMO ret __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

November 19th, 2006, 01:16 PM	#10
CombatEffective Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,000	My understanding is that the military and police there carry without a round in the chamber. I don't know if that is common among the population there. __________________ Shooters' Legacy Special sections for S&W and Ruger

November 19th, 2006, 11:28 AM	#2
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,385	My understanding is that the Israelis don't normally carry pistols with a round chamberd, is that the norm there?

November 19th, 2006, 11:31 AM	#3
Sonic Misfit Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 411	Hi Ben. Thanks for the insight on Israel. It is nice to see that there is one place in the world with some sanity as it applies to gun laws. I wish our government would take a lesson from this.

November 19th, 2006, 12:11 PM	#7
Dave James Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tidewater,VIrginia Posts: 244	ben , the training they do and pistols they have used over the years, is why they go with chamber empty, It is the norm there. As I was told you can own 2 handguns and one rifle, don't know if that's changed

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