Head of national gun licensing unit resigns amid furor over Ben Gvir’s policies

The head of the gun licensing department at the National Security Ministry has resigned amid revelations over the licensing regulations applied under minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who has fast-tracked thousands of civilian gun permits, claiming it boosts public security against terror attacks.

Yisrael Avisar, who headed the National Security Ministry’s Firearm Licensing Department, handed in his notice Monday after six years in the department and the last three as its head.

Avisar’s move came after two stormy appearances at a Knesset oversight committee that heard how dozens of people have been granted temporary authority to approve gun license applications, among them the far-right Ben Gvir’s personal staff appointees, Knesset employees, and young women performing civilian National Service volunteer duty.

The National Security Ministry responded with a statement saying, “One who does not continue to carry out policy in accordance with the minister’s instructions… and is pressured by attacks of the left in various committees, cannot continue as the head of the firearms division.”

“A weapon saves lives, and the minister’s policy is being expanded and not reduced,” the statement declared. READ MORE