The IDF has instructed reservists serving in combat units who hold licenses for privately owned handguns not to bring their personal firearms when reporting for reserve duty, according to a report by the religious-Zionist weekly Matzav HaRuach.

The directive, reportedly presented during pre-deployment briefings, requires reservists to leave their privately owned pistols at home or store them in accordance with existing regulations. Under National Security Ministry rules, firearm owners who will be away from home for more than 48 hours without another adult present must deposit their weapon with a licensed firearms dealer or secure it in a ministry-approved safe.

The policy is expected to cost many reservists hundreds of shekels per month in storage fees, even as they serve with IDF-issued weapons during operational deployments.

According to the report, some reservists who questioned the directive were told there would be “no exceptions” and that “there is nothing to argue.”

The IDF confirmed the policy, saying it was implemented for safety reasons.

“This is a command decision stemming from safety considerations,” the IDF Spokesperson said. “During operational deployment, each reservist is issued an IDF weapon appropriate to his role and mission. At the same time, in specific cases and as needed, exemptions can be granted.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)