305 Comments

I always assumed that with mandatory service in Israel its citizens would be highly armed. This was an interesting essay that did a good job explaining why such is not the case.

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Thank you for this Matti, I think many of us readers would be interested to read more about how one’s grandparents forced exodus from their homes to Israel has affected their political views. I haven’t seen anything on that and would enjoy the learning. AND … for a Jew, murder and the willingness to commit murder are very deep spiritual crimes. A gun is dangerous, in anyone’s hands. Even if you know how to use it, can manage your adrenal responses and fire it. It is dangerous to own a gun. The statistics on gun accidents have born out that truth. I understand why it seems an ugly symbol. I feel the same.

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I've discovered a unique kind of tranquility with my concealed carry Glock—my blood pressure's lower, and I'm noticeably calmer, knowing I'm prepared to defend myself. As for other armed civilians, honestly, they're less of a concern to me compared to the daily adventures with licensed drivers on our roads.

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Israel? I understand. Still, not all Democrats are rats.

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The tone of grudging acceptance seems tinged still with a hint of disdain, a touch of abhorrence, and all this despite October 7, which for all intents and purposes should have confirmed even to the most delusionally cocooned that, however peaceful and prosperous your life might be, there remains evil in the world, held at bay only by the threat of force and consequence that changes the calculus of their self interest and malevolent intent.

For as long as there are bad people, good people will have to defend themselves.

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I was amazed when I learned how hard it was for an Israeli to own a firearm. Had they been properly armed Hamas would not have had a "cake walk" on Oct. 7.

A pistol and 100 rounds? Ridiculous. Israel should require citizens to own and be trained in the use of a firearm. Minimum acceptable is an AR type rifle or a shotgun. An added pistol is a good idea. Only those committed to maintaining training should have fully auto weapons as they are harder to use and can burn through ammo quicker that you can resupply it.

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Coming to a neighborhood near you soon ... if you don't own a firearm, reconsider.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/foreign-terrorists-targeting-us-increasingly-fbi-director/story?id=109045112

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This article is a wake-up call for Americans. Sadly the ones who most need to hear the message are comfortably asleep. The Arabs have told us exactly who they are and what they have planned. Even ABC recently made a statement that there are now credible threats of attacks against the US, like the one in Russia. I used to be Israel, thinking that the government and the police would protect me. Not any more. I'm not happy to have to be a CLL carrier and gun owner, but here we are. Lock n' load people. It's just a matter of when (and probably right before the election so they can implement marital law and keep the dementia patient in office). And that's the big threat. The daily threat is from all the gang members and mentally ill streaming across the border.

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And for us the Jews in the USA!

HYPER VIGILANCE AND REAL, MUCH MORE FOR YOU THAN US.

I CAN’T TRAVEL WITH MY STAR OF DAVID NECKLACE IN CERTAIN BLUE STATES, ESPECIALLY CALIFORNIA!

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The only quibble I have with Mr. Friedman's essay is his description of his Glock as "ugly." I'm a gun owner (Sig Sauer), but certainly not a gun nut, and I think the pistol is aesthetic. My biggest fault as a gun owner is that I neglect to practice with it enough to be competent if I needed it, instead relying on past training. But there's usually something else I'd rather do with my Saturday.

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Apparently there’s a record number of Jews buying firearms here in the US. It’s so important to go to the range and practice or even dry fire at home. I’m surprised Israelis are only allowed 100 bullets. That’s maybe 2 practice sessions.

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You wrote “ told my kids that if they’re ever near a shooting attack they need to lie down flat and wait until it’s over—the main danger being less the terrorist than other Israelis who will open fire and hit something other than their target.”

Lying down until it is over is good advice, but saying the “main danger” from a terrorist attack is actually the people defending themselves and not the terrorists targeting civilians isn’t rational. That’s an anti-gun trope, and not true. I’m not trying to criticize you, I can’t imagine the situation you’re in and the pressures you are under.

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You are a thoughtful, elegant writer. Your piece is enlightening and instructive to this American raised under what many of us consider to be the sanctity of the 2nd Amendment. However, given your talent and insight, your description of the IDF as a "necessary evil" is beneath you.

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That’s is a good point. In October 7th that situation arose and they condone her in to the armory of that town. But those are logistics and when planning these things they must figure this out and plan for it. But I don’t think there’s any comparing be the two countries. They are two different situations. The Israelis aren’t worried their government will need to be fought but only their enemies.

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I think your opinion on firearms is very typical of a poorly informed and ignorant person on the purpose of firearms. I am certainly glad I live in the USA where my rights to owning firearms are protected under the Constitution. I certainly would never accept the asinine restrictions imposed on the citizens of Israel. I am curious if gentiles in Israel are allowed to carry a firearm or is this a strict regulation whose purpose is to limit firearm ownership only to Jews? I have been learning that Arabs in the West Bank are held to a different legal standard than Jews. Being Irish I can understand how when one is persecuted for the religious beliefs some will respond with violence instead of peaceful protest. I would hope that The Free Press will report both sides fairly and honestly. I’m seeing a great deal of propaganda being directed at Americans to try and convince us that Israel is completely blameless in the conflict between the Muslim Arabs that inhabit Gaza and the West Bank.

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