Beersheba has joined a growing list of Israeli cities and communities whose residents are eligible to apply for personal firearm licenses, the National Security Ministry confirmed on Sunday.
The move is part of a broad firearms reform introduced in 2023 by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
The decision was made following an extensive professional review by the Israel Police and officials in the Firearms Licensing Division, who examined the matter, as well as Ben-Gvir himself.
In 2026 alone, the number of eligible communities has risen by 126, and the number of individual gun owners has nearly doubled from 150,000 before the war to 300,000 after it.
Since the reform was expanded, more than 280,000 citizens have received personal firearm licenses, while more than 200 communities have been recognized as eligible. These include areas of Jerusalem, Netanya, and Ashdod.
Ben-Gvir: 'A weapon in the right hands saves lives'
Ben-Gvir continues to push for the eligibility criteria to be expanded to additional cities and communities. The policy reflects his belief that Israeli citizens have a fundamental right to defend themselves and their families, while also contributing to the protection of the State of Israel.
“A weapon in the right hands saves lives,” Ben-Gvir has repeatedly said.
“I am proud to continue the firearms revolution and expand it to the capital of the Negev as well,” he said following the announcement. “The residents of Beersheba, like all citizens of the State of Israel, have a basic right to protect themselves and their family members.”