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Les Vitailles's avatar

I got my first rifle in 2019, after the actor John Cusack sent out a vicious anti-Semitic tweet and got no blowback.

It was shocking to read how many Israeli families on Oct 7 retreated to their safe rooms but armed only with a kitchen knife. The places where security teams got to their rifles were able to beat back terrorists even though they were outnumbered.

Israel doesn't allow civilian long guns, not even bolt action rifles. So many terrorists you read that were stopped by an armed civilian on the scene. I hope they will revisit that policy and not infringe on the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

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Laura's avatar

I hate that low-life pig john cusack.

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Miriamnae's avatar

That sickened me too. Every home in Israel should be armed.

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Laura's avatar

This surprised me as I had though Israelis, especially those living in certain areas were armed.

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Les Vitailles's avatar

I was surprised when watching some instructional videos on marksmanship by IDF Lt Col Mikey Hartman, who says he trained most of the IDF in his marksmanship techniques.

He says it was a challenge because no rifles are available in Israel for civilians, so none of the recruits has ever fired a gun. The max amount of handgun ammo you can buy at a time is 100 rounds; I go through that in one session at the range.

A handgun in Israel costs over $4000 while in the US you can get a great gun for about $500, including from IWI

https://iwi.us/firearms/masada/slim-9mm-parabellum/

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/05/24/mikey-hartman-caa/

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Alison's avatar

In Switzerland, everybody is armed. It's the reason Hitler didn't attack or invade, even though they speak German. Switzerland doesn't have an army; Switzerland is an army! I hope Israel will soon be the same.

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Pamela Schieber's avatar

Every Israeli citizen should own a gun.

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Susan Hirshorn's avatar

So should every Jew.

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David F's avatar

Agree 100%. Get your permit, practice, and carry it.

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Alfred Harder's avatar

There never was a reason for Jews NOT to be armed! They should be armed at all times!

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LeviAvraham's avatar

Yep! I have a .45, .40 & .357!

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Joseph A Frye's avatar

All Jews and their supporters should be armed and capable. Also, look into concealed and/or open-carry insurance. That $35.00 per month fee provides a lot of legal and financial protection.

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Miriamnae's avatar

Amen! Great essay. I suggest the minimal fee to join JPFO, Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership. It was their founder who uncovered that the gun control act of the ‘60s, by Senator Dodd, was directly plagiarized from the 1930s German gun law. Hitler announced how safe the citizenry then was. Senator Dodd was at the Nuremberg trials, post WW2, and had access to all German papers. Oct 7 changed me too, and I’m well armed and relatively cocooned in the Midwest America. Everyone needs to read some of the articles on JPFO…as I love to quote him, here goes Rabbi Kahane: “every Jew a .22…”

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Steve S's avatar

I've repeatedly said on many blogs and substacks that every Jewish household should have at least one firearm for each adult in the house. Shooting is meditative, enjoyable, and relaxing. Go to the range, practice, become proficient and familiar with the firearms in your home. Learn how to keep them safe if there are children in the house. We are lucky to have the 2nd Amendment in this country which grants the right to own and possess firearms. Take advantage of it, as we take advantage of our other constitutional rights.

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Jewish Grandmother's avatar

As a person in my family claims, regarding gun control, “that horse is already out of the barn.” I NEVER thought I would agree with your thesis, but here we are.

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Mighty Quinn's avatar

It’s necessary to be proficient in handling a gun. Most police echo that because they know how important initial self defense is.

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Christopher Messina's avatar

Police know they are minutes away when seconds count.

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Richard Hacker's avatar

You are my new best friend. Unfortunately, even now, this is a tough sell on the Jewish community. Even up here, in the great north hinterlands of the U.S., where the ownership and lawful use of guns is almost second nature, one is more likely to hear the JC advocate "common sense gun laws" than to advocate common sense self defense. In any case, I have a couple of practical common sense suggestions for the choir. First, purchase and use one of the fine electronic practice devices that are made for handguns. Personally, I have a Mantis. One attaches it to the bottom front accessory rail and practicing with it at home will improve your draw, aim, and muscle memory without burning gunpowder or a visit to the range. Having said that, do not neglect your range time. Nothing replaces the experience of the "bang" and "thump" that you get from live fire. Secondly, bulk prices (1,000 rounds) for the handgun and rifle ammunition commonly used for self defense, i.e., 9mm (semi-auto pistol), .223 (NATO type AK semi-auto rifle), and 7.62x39mm (Russian type AK-47 semi-auto rifle), are at an historic 10-year low (I track these things). I suggest increasing your supply. Then practice, practice, practice.

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Miriamnae's avatar

Thank you for the info on ammo.

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Christopher Messina's avatar

To add to the mile high stack of lies from that Jew Hating terrorist-lover Jimmy Carter currently boiling in peanut oil in Hell for his betrayal of the Jews, he is the one that came up with that idiotic phrase, "First Responder."

As any honest cop will tell you, a cop is at best a Second Responder. The FIRST responder is the person on the spot to whom violence is directed.

In the UK, for example, if you shoot an intruder who is breaking into your home to rape and kill your family, YOU are damned likely to end up in court being prosecuted for murder.

In Florida, the sheriff will thank you for saving the taxpayers the cost of prosecuting and jailing one more scumbag who doesn't deserve to live.

Be an effective First Responder and send anyone who attacks you to Heaven where he is going to find out the beautiful virgins intend to stay that way OR there is a compelling reason those 72 are virgins still....

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Christopher Messina's avatar

Free people own weapons with which to defend themselves. Slaves do not.

Any of these Islamist scumbags coming for my children will find out just how bad an idea that is.

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Ryan Ruffaner's avatar

I used to be an anti-gun person too. Learning the statistics of gun violence (ironically while trying to prove why guns are bad) helped bring me around to the idea of carrying a weapon. So did meeting gun owners and learning that they're not what the left-wing news I was consuming said they were.

They weren't cavalier about it or aggressive. They viewed it as a solemn, almost sacred duty to protect themselves, and with the utmost responsibility too.

October 7th has changed my mind about guns further still. When I get more money, I will buy and train with a gun.

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Kafr Dhimmi's avatar

Jabotinsky said 100 years ago “Jews learn to shoot”

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