Northern kibbutz reports theft of six assault rifles used for security

Largely due to the very stringent firearms regulations in Israel, a large, prospering black market has developed in the country.

By BEN HARTMAN
An Israeli border policeman aims his weapon at Palestinians during clashes in Hebron (photo credit: REUTERS)
An Israeli border policeman aims his weapon at Palestinians during clashes in Hebron
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Unknown assailants stole six assault rifles from a northern Israeli kibbutz overnight Saturday.
Police from the Northern District have set up a special investigative team to probe the break-in, and to retrieve the firearms before they can be used.
Police said the Kiryat Shmona received a call Saturday night of a break-in at Neot Mordechai.
They arrived at the kibbutz to find that the weapons depot had been broken into and that six M-16 assault rifles had been stolen.
Largely due to the very stringent firearms regulations in Israel, a large, prospering black market has developed in the country. Guns stolen from the IDF and private citizens, as well as ones smuggled into Israel or made by amateur gunsmiths regularly make their way onto the black market where they can fetch exorbitant fees.
A black market handgun can run between NIS 8,000 and NIS 10,000. Foreign brands like Glock or SIG Sauer are generally more expensive than Israeli made pistols, while a Kalashnikov rifle can go for NIS 15,000 to NIS 20,000 and an IDF issue M-16 can sell for between NIS 30,000 and NIS 50,000. The Israel weapon industries’ Tavor has become popular in the Israeli underworld, and can fetch even more money than the M-16.
The steep prices and high demand often lead to burglaries targeting people who work in security as well as assaults on IDF personnel, with the sole purpose of snatching or stealing firearms to sell or use on the street.