How strict are gun laws in Israel?
Restrictive
Handguns are licensed only at the authorities' discretion, or only to club members or existing owners.
Israel is one of 87 countries classified “Restrictive” for civilian gun ownership — 43% of the 202 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)
Source
- Last checked
- 17 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Read directly from the source’s own table, without interpretation.
Nearby countries
- Jordan
- Permissive Handguns are licensed as of right, and personal protection is an accepted reason on its own.
- Cyprus
- Highly restrictive / banned Civilians cannot obtain handguns.
- Syria
- Restrictive Handguns are limited to one revolver and issued only at the discretion of authorities.
- Egypt
- Restrictive Firearms are issued at the authority's discretion (may-issue) for unspecified reasons, including personal protection.
- Turkey
- Licensed / moderate Handguns can be licensed for sport, hunting or collecting, but personal protection alone is not a sufficient reason.
- Iraq
- Permissive Handguns are licensed as of right, and personal protection is an accepted reason on its own.
Other laws in Israel
- Death Penalty
- Retained / in use
- Military Conscription
- Active conscription
Every law in Israel → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.