Guns: The Must-Have Israeli Accessory: "
Guns: The Must-Have Israeli Accessory: ’
When Times reporter Sheera Frenkel was browsing through purses in a Jerusalem store recently, she found herself looking curiously at one of the bum bags which adorn the waists of so many Israeli men. Opening it, she was surprised to discover it was lined with thick foam cut out to fit a handgun and clip. ‘Until then I had thought it was a very badly misjudged fashion statement, but in fact it turns out that they are ideal for carrying guns,’ she said.
There is a familiarity with guns in Israel that is rare among democracies, even in the firearm-friendly United States. Compulsory national service for both men and women of school leaving age means the majority of the adult population is trained in handling firearms. And while there are many illegal weapons in the system, it is easy - and in some cases actively encouraged - for civilians to acquire guns legitimately.
Members of the army, including reservists, are allowed to carry their weapons with them when they are off duty, and it is also common upon leaving the military for Israeli men to take armed jobs in security, a huge industry in a conflict-ridden country. Even if they then quit the sector, many simply hold on to their guns in order to protect their families.
In settlement zones, firearms permits are freely available. Any Israeli with a clean record can apply to carry a handgun, while in some settlements it is not uncommon to see young men with assault rifles slung over their shoulders. In the West Bank - as in Gaza until disengagement - almost every Israeli household owns a gun.
When Times reporter Sheera Frenkel was browsing through purses in a Jerusalem store recently, she found herself looking curiously at one of the bum bags which adorn the waists of so many Israeli men. Opening it, she was surprised to discover it was lined with thick foam cut out to fit a handgun and clip. ‘Until then I had thought it was a very badly misjudged fashion statement, but in fact it turns out that they are ideal for carrying guns,’ she said.
There is a familiarity with guns in Israel that is rare among democracies, even in the firearm-friendly United States. Compulsory national service for both men and women of school leaving age means the majority of the adult population is trained in handling firearms. And while there are many illegal weapons in the system, it is easy - and in some cases actively encouraged - for civilians to acquire guns legitimately.
Members of the army, including reservists, are allowed to carry their weapons with them when they are off duty, and it is also common upon leaving the military for Israeli men to take armed jobs in security, a huge industry in a conflict-ridden country. Even if they then quit the sector, many simply hold on to their guns in order to protect their families.
In settlement zones, firearms permits are freely available. Any Israeli with a clean record can apply to carry a handgun, while in some settlements it is not uncommon to see young men with assault rifles slung over their shoulders. In the West Bank - as in Gaza until disengagement - almost every Israeli household owns a gun.
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(Via avideditorla’s shared items in Google Reader.)
(Via The Avid Editor's Insights.)
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