Israel's Contentious Politician Advocates for Adoption of U.S. Firearm Regulations
Wild Take: Israel's Tough Talking Minister Gets a Dose of U.S. Gun Culture
Israel's firebrand National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, recently touched down in the U.S., and he wasn't shy about sharing his impressions. In a chat with our digital outlet, Ben-Gvir praised the grip of gun culture he witnessed, especially in “fascinating” gun shops.
Controversial Ben-Gvir Tours U.S. Amid Protests
The vocal politician's visit sparked heated protests, but Ben-Gvir, who started off as a right-wing activist, seemed undeterred. He met with Jewish groups, law enforcement officials, and politicians and even had a sit-down with some high-profile Republican Reps — Jim Jordan, Claudia Tenney, Michael Lawler, and Brian Mast.
Israel-U.S. Relations Shift under Trump
Ben-Gvir shared his thoughts on the change in Israel-U.S. relations under Trump's second term, stating that he felt a warmer welcome at Mar-a-Lago compared to Biden's "persona non grata" treatment. He believed that an American president backing Israel makes a real difference during conflict times.
A Fascination with Firearms
Before his meeting with Rep. Brian Mast, Ben-Gvir took a trip to see America's gun culture up close. He visited both a shooting range and a gun store, leaving with a newfound appreciation for the sheer variety of weapons available. He told our digital outlet that his gun-related distribution in Israel had saved lives and that he hoped to implement some of the U.S.'s laxer policies.
Israel has seen a rise in applications for firearm permits since October 2023, following the mass shootings in the country. Ben-Gvir has since worked to expand eligibility for licenses, allowing more citizens to carry weapons for self-defense.
In the U.S., the recent political climate is characterized by proposals for stricter gun control, such as Sen. Adam Schiff's "Assault Weapons Ban of 2025." Meanwhile, state lawmakers in New York are considering a package of gun control bills, while Massachusetts's stringent firearm laws are being challenged in court.
Despite the differences, Ben-Gvir is hopeful that Israel can learn from the U.S.'s policies on weapons distribution and self-defense rights. He said, “I'm not sure I would distribute arms to the same extent, but I definitely believe in expanding access because citizens have the right to defend themselves."
- Amid general news and policy-and-legislation debates on stricter gun control in the U.S., Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed his intention to implement some of the country's laxer policies on weapons distribution, citing a newfound appreciation for the variety of weapons available in America.
- Despite the controversial tour and protests, Israel's Minister Ben-Gvir, who supports expanding eligibility for firearm licenses, observed a rise in applications for firearm permits in Israel, following the country's mass shootings in October 2023.
- During his meeting with Republican Reps in the U.S., Ben-Gvir shared his belief that an American president's backing of Israel can make a significant difference during conflict times, with Israel-U.S. relations under Trump's second term receiving a warmer welcome from Ben-Gvir compared to the "persona non grata" treatment under Biden.
