Another few tens of thousands of citizens will be eligible for personal weapons, as the army begins distributing gun permits to reserve officers of the rank of captain and higher. Former elite combat unit soldiers, ex-police officers, and some others will also be eligible. Deputy Interior Minister David Azulai, who is supervising the matter, said he would look into expanding the permits to lieutenants in the reserves as well. Police Commissioner Shlomo Aharonishki admitted that there was a degree of risk of \"trigger-happiness,\" but stressed that there was no question that private citizens with guns had proved their effectiveness in ending recent terrorist attacks. In the year 2000, the Interior Ministry approved permits for 2,550 people; this number grew to 4,588 last year. Some 256,000 people currently own licensed private weapons.
Former Jerusalem Police Chief Aryeh Amit said that the decision is very logical and long overdue. \"Criminals and their ilk already have weapons,\" Amit said, \"so that is not the problem. In our present situation, where the country is not providing security, it’s important to allow the citizens to protect themselves… Many of the last 20 terrorist attacks in this country have been stopped by civilians with guns. Of course, precautions must be taken; whoever receives a gun also takes responsibility for doing so, and if he does not, he will be punished… Domestic crimes are often committed not with a personal gun, but with other weapons, such as a knife, fist, or army weapon.\"
Former Jerusalem Police Chief Aryeh Amit said that the decision is very logical and long overdue. \"Criminals and their ilk already have weapons,\" Amit said, \"so that is not the problem. In our present situation, where the country is not providing security, it’s important to allow the citizens to protect themselves… Many of the last 20 terrorist attacks in this country have been stopped by civilians with guns. Of course, precautions must be taken; whoever receives a gun also takes responsibility for doing so, and if he does not, he will be punished… Domestic crimes are often committed not with a personal gun, but with other weapons, such as a knife, fist, or army weapon.\"