Minister: Let security guards carry guns after work hours - Itsik Saban, Mati Tuchfeld, Gideon Allon and Israel Hayom Staff

by Itsik Saban, Mati Tuchfeld, Gideon Allon and Israel Hayom Staff

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, speaking at scene of Friday's shooting, says lone-wolf terrorism requires security forces, civilians to change mode of operation • MKs demand steps to confiscate the "enormous number" of illegal guns in Arab sector.

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the scene of Friday's shooting in Tel Aviv, Saturday | Photo credit: Flash90

The availability of guns in Israel is once again the subject of debate. On Sunday, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation was slated to approve an amendment, authored by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, to the current law, that would allow security guards to carry their work weapons after work hours. 

On Saturday evening, the day after two people were shot to death in an attack on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv, Erdan and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene of the attack. Both spoke publicly. 

After thanking the police for their efforts, Erdan expressed his thanks to the public for its alertness and mentioned that he was seeking to expand the policy on carrying guns. 

"The Israel Police arrived and acted just like they were supposed to. Israel's police protect the citizens 24 hours a day. However, civilians also help a great deal. Therefore, I am expanding the policy on carrying guns. Tomorrow [Sunday], another bill on that matter will be presented that would allow security guards to carry their work weapons when they are off the job." 

Erdan added that in the coming weeks the regulations for issuing gun ownership permits would be relaxed. "This step is part of a series of steps we're taking, along with massive backup [in the form of] opening new police stations in Arab communities, something that hasn't happened for many years." 

Earlier, Erdan expressed his condolences for the families of Alon Bakal and Shimon Ruimi, who were killed Friday and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded. 

Erdan addressed the current wave of terrorism, saying that "over the past few months everyone is dealing with a new kind of terror wave. A kind we didn't know in the past and that is characterized, as you all understand, by not having a clearly identifiable guiding group or hand. This requires the security forces and all of us to make a lot of changes in the way we operate." 

As Erdan works to make it easier for citizens to carry guns legally, many Knesset members are demanding that the authorities take more steps to confiscate illegal weapons in circulation. 

In response to Friday's attack, Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman attacked the government, saying that its policy was "one big failure." 

"It's not just the attack in Tel Aviv and the rest of the events in recent weeks, but rather an ongoing failure, a policy of buying quiet from Hamas and the rest of the organizations with money and benefits," Lieberman said. 

Likud officials responded to Lieberman's statement, saying "this is an irresponsible babbler whose understanding of the war on terrorism is summed up by automatic fire of empty slogans." 

Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid said that "there is an enormous number of illegal weapons floating around the Arab sector, and it's time to start addressing that." 

MK Moti Yogev (Habayit Hayehudi) touched on the same issue, calling on "the Public Security Minister and the Israel Police to implement an intelligence operation and an operation to collect illegal guns in the Arab sector." 

Opposition Leader MK Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union), said that "lone-wolf terrorism breaks down the citizens' sense of personal safety. ... Military strikes must be as harsh and painful as possible, and should be accompanied by civilian security operations. At the same time, we must create a serious, regional process that will lead to a quick separation from our neighbors." 

MK Ahmad Tibi (Joint Arab List) said that "[the shooter's] family must not be blamed, nor the residents of [the terrorist's hometown] Arara. It's a horrible act. The Arab public has nothing to do with it."

Itsik Saban, Mati Tuchfeld, Gideon Allon and Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=30861

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