Further, the National Shooting Sports Foundation reported there are almost 25 million semiautomatic rifles in circulation in the U.S. These defensive weapons, such as AR-15s and AK-47s, are more numerous “than Ford F-Series trucks on the road.”
And anyone who has driven American roads knows they are everywhere.
But Israel does not have the equivalent of a Second Amendment. Citizens are only allowed to have the weapons and ammunition that the government deems fit, and according to the BBC, gun ownership in the nation is only about 2% of the population.
Now it is clear for all the world to see just how vulnerable a disarmed population is to a coordinated terrorist attack. Hamas militants went door-to-door in some areas looking for Israeli families to massacre.
In the U.S., such a foolhardy act would quickly become suicidal.
The BBC noted that even the types of firearms and amount of ammunition allowed for a citizen to possess are strictly regulated. People are generally “allowed to hold a pistol and a limit of 50 bullets.”
In all but a few harsh states, Americans may have a wide variety of weapons and as much ammunition as their budgets will allow. There are many more privately held weapons in the U.S. than there are people — with the estimated total reaching over 434 million.
Even before last week’s massive terrorist strike, there was a noticeable shift in strategy among Israeli citizens and some leaders. Applications for gun licenses necessary to own a weapon more than doubled from 2021 to 2022, from 19,000 to 42,236.
And as recently as January, the security cabinet enacted changes to make it easier for citizens to carry firearms. Options discussed to combat terrorism included loosening restrictions on firearm licenses and earmarking funding for weapons purchases.
Tragically, now the people of this besieged nation belatedly see the benefits of greatly expanding private gun ownership. On Sunday, Israel’s Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, revealed that the government relaxed policies for Israelis to purchase and possess weapons.
Posting on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, he explained the move. “Today I directed the Firearms Licensing Division to go on an emergency operation, in order to allow as many citizens as possible to arm themselves.”
Those without “a criminal or medical record” who need a firearm for self-defense or to serve in the security forces will now need to conduct a telephone interview. This replaces the previous physical interview and enables them to possess a weapon within a week.
An improvement, to be sure, but it came a little late.
Citizens who received a conditional permit this year but allowed it to expire without purchasing a weapon are now permitted to proceed with the transaction without filing another application.
The maximum number of rounds starting this week is increased from 50 to 100, and those who relinquished their weapons due to lapsed training may receive them back.
Again, a day late and a dollar short.
When it comes to security, geography is everything. The U.S. is blessed with having expansive oceans on both sides and largely peaceful neighbors to the north and south. Still, it is armed to the teeth and would be a formidable foe to attempt to invade by land the way Hamas did with Israel.
Which brings us to Israel. This small country is surrounded by nations that on the best days are unfriendly to its existence. Having a Second Amendment-type provision to increase the private arms of the people seems like a sacred duty in light of its long term and very recent history.
