An unknown number of “armed civilians” is being credited with helping “neutralize” two terrorists who opened fire on a Jerusalem bus Monday morning, perhaps underscoring the benefit of armed citizens who can fight back.
Various news agencies are reporting the tragedy, which so far has claimed six lives and left at least a dozen wounded. The Times of Israel is reporting that the Palestinian terrorists were residents of the Wet Bank. They opened fire on people waiting at a bus stop. An off-duty soldier immediately returned fire, and so did “a number of civilians.”
Fox News’ report only indicated one armed citizen was involved, but the Associated Press is also indicating more than one armed civilian was involved.
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms says the incident “underscores the importance of an armed citizenry.”
“The oldest human right is the right of self-defense,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “This right knows no national boundaries, nor is it limited to race, creed, political affiliation or gender. Monday morning in Israel, people waiting peacefully at a bus stop were targeted by a pair of terrorists who made the fatal error of expecting all of their intended victims to be unarmed. Now they’re both dead, thanks to the quick action of an off-duty soldier and one or more armed private citizens.”
In the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which saw 1,200 people murdered, “Requests for gun permits surged,” according to the Times of Israel. The report said Israelis had submitted more than 403,000 requests for firearms licenses since that bloody attack nearly two years ago, and so far, more than 217,000 “conditional approvals have been granted,” according to the National Security Ministry, the report said.
Several days ago, according to a different Times of Israel report, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced five additional cities and local councils had joined the list of localities were eligible for private firearms licenses.
“The reform we are leading has already saved many lives and has proven itself in the field. It is designed to enable law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their communities,” Ben Gvir reportedly stated.
WAFA News Agency, which describes itself as a “Palestinian News & Information Agency,” reported back on Sept. 1 that Ben Gvir had decided to allow some 100,000 additional Israelis to obtain special firearm licenses.
Israel does not have the equivalent of a Second Amendment, but it is clear, following the Oct. 7 mass slaughter, that citizens of that nation are keenly interested in self-defense.
The Times of Israel noted, “Women’s groups have decried the rising number of guns in Israeli homes, saying it poses a risk to victims of domestic violence.”
But CCRKBA’s Gottlieb observed, “ Reports say Hamas and other terrorist organizations are praising the attack,. This needs to be understood by critics of an armed citizenry. When people are being killed or wounded before your very eyes, calling 9-1-1 is not an option. Israel evidently understands this, and it is time for gun prohibitionists here in the United States to admit their crusade of citizen disarmament only creates more defenseless victims who can’t fight back.”
