First publication: Tens of thousands of Be'er Sheva residents to be eligible for firearms
Significant parts of the city are now included in the list of areas where residents can apply for a personal weapon license. Since the start of the weapons reform, over 200 settlements have been recognized as eligible.
Be'er Sheva, the capital of the Negev, joins the growing list of settlements today, Sunday, whose residents may be eligible to carry a weapon. Tens of thousands of the city's residents will be able to submit an application for a personal weapon license, subject to meeting the legal criteria. Recently, residents of Hadera and Rosh HaAyin also received similar eligibility.
Be'er Sheva joins other major cities such as Jerusalem, Netanya, and Ashdod, where specific neighborhoods have already been recognized as eligible areas. Since the expansion of the reform, over 280,000 citizens have received a personal weapon license, and more than 200 settlements have been recognized as eligible.
The decision follows staff work and professional assessment by the Israel Police, the Firearms Licensing and Control Division, and the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir.
From 6 to 200: The firearms reform
In 2021, only 6 settlements were recognized as eligible for weapons. In 2023, 23 settlements were added, followed by 21 in 2024, 80 in 2025, and 126 since the beginning of 2026.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir stated:
"I am proud to continue the weapons revolution and expand it to the capital of the Negev. The residents of Be'er Sheva, like all citizens of the State of Israel, have a basic right to protect themselves and their family members. We will continue to expand the weapons reform, add more cities and neighborhoods to the eligibility list, and ensure that as many citizens as possible can protect themselves and the State of Israel. My policy is clear: weapons in the right hands save lives."
