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Why School Shootings Are So Rare in Israel, Where Guns Are a Common Sight
(Washington Post) Ruth Eglash - Israeli security experts say that gun violence is rare in Israel because privately-held guns are so rare. According to Israel's Ministry of Internal Security, which registers all gun owners, about 260,000 Israelis, 3.5% of the population, have permits to carry firearms. Half work for security firms. Israel ranks 81st in the world for per-capita firearm ownership. Civilians must be over 27 years old to obtain a gun license, though those who completed military service are also eligible. Gun license applicants must justify their need to be armed. Residents of Tel Aviv are unlikely to receive gun licenses, compared with Israelis living in border areas or in the West Bank. In addition, retired army officers, former police officers, firefighters, ambulance technicians, special forces veterans, and licensed public transportation drivers can also qualify for permits.