A bill to increase penalties for illegal possession and purchase of weapons has passed its first reading.
Promoted by Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the bill aims to help tackle crime in Arab society, in which the improvised weapons targeted by the measure are widespread.
The bill would extend the jail term from three to five years for offenses involving a weapon containing substantial elements of a conventional weapon.
It would also increase the sentence for an offense involving the purchase of a weapon from seven to 10 years.
“One of the characteristics and causes of the phenomenon of crime in Arab society is the availability of weapons of all kinds on a large scale,” Sa’ar explains.
“The bill aims to increase deterrence,” adds the Minister of Justice.
In preparation for its second and third readings, the bill will be referred to the Knesset Constitutional Committee.
