FICC says prime minister should expedite gun licensing in face of terrorist attacks

A study by retail information company RIS showed significant drops in certain retail outlets in October, particularly in Jerusalem.

By NIV ELIS
Guns (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Guns
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)
The Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce sent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a list of recommendations on Thursday for fighting terrorist attacks.
Aside from the human toll, terrorism has been shown to have a significant effect on consumption and tourism, which can push struggling small- and medium-sized businesses into bankruptcy.
A study by retail information company RIS showed significant drops in certain retail outlets in October, particularly in Jerusalem.
In previous clashes, the FICC has urged policy makers to take measures to save businesses or help them through tough financial times.
In Thursday’s letter, FICC President Uriel Lynn focused on security measures, saying Netanyahu should arm municipal inspectors and alter gun laws, making it easier for eligible people to buy guns.
He also recommended that local authorities should be empowered to set up municipal police forces to work alongside the national force and increase their ranks, and the education ministry should add self-defense classes to school curriculums.
The government should add security work to the list of preferential jobs for recently released soldiers, which would give them benefits for taking up such work, Lynn said. That would help increase the ranks of talented guards around the country, he said.
“We all understand that the security forces will make many efforts, with the strengthening and upgrading of the forces on the ground, but they alone cannot provide a complete and comprehensive response to totally prevent harm to individuals,” Lynn said.
He did not provide recommendations on compensating struggling businesses hit hard by the loss of revenue, as he did for businesses affected by rockets from the Gaza Strip during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.


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