Honenu Attorney Adi Keidar; Photo credit: Honenu
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 8:10 Several months ago, two Shomron residents applied for firearm licenses for the purpose of self-defense, in light of the security situation in Israel. The Firearm Licensing Department of the National Security Ministry refused their applications, due to a claim by the Israel Police that they were associated with “extreme and violent activists.” The residents turned to Honenu Attorney Adi Keidar, who petitioned the Central District Court in Lod to cancel the decision.
During a court hearing, the judge asked to examine the opinion on which the refusal was based. It was then revealed that the GSS had written the opinion, but none of the officials authorized to approve the application in either the Israel Police or the Firearm Licensing Department had read it. In consideration of this development, the court ordered the Israel Police and the Firearm Licensing Department to re-examine their refusal.
Attorney Keidar issued a statement: “My clients, both of them Shomron residents, applied for firearm licenses for the purpose of defending themselves and their families. The cout hearings revealed that the GSS unfairly plays a major role in firearms license requests from residents of Yehuda and Shomron.
“At one of the hearings, we learned that the GSS had not shared the material constituting the basis of their opposition to grant my clients a firearm license with the officials authorized to approve or reject applications. The court rightly rebuked the Israel Police and the Firearm Licensing Department. However, the court did give them additional time to respond to our claims. We think that this decision is fundamentally erroneous, and we expect the truth to be uncovered. I think that my clients will be granted firearm licenses.”