Settlers hand in army guns

By · April 8, 2008

Israel has been quietly collecting army-issued firearms from some West Bank settlers.

Over recent weeks, military officials have visited settlements in the Binyamin district to collect firearms issued to residents by the army, Israel Radio reported Tuesday.

The settlements’ security officers, emergency-response units, and residents with private gun licenses have been allowed to keep their guns.

Military officials said the collection was for purposes of maintenance and to ensure the guns are properly deposited. But settlement representatives said the having fewer firearms on hand could make them more vulnerable to Palestinian terrorist attacks.

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