In a significant legal move signaling a shift in weapon offense policy, the Tiberias Magistrate's Court recently sentenced Haron Sabihi, a resident of northern Israel, to 16 months of actual imprisonment. Sabihi was convicted of trafficking and attempting to traffic imitation firearms and illegally possessing weapon parts. The sentence represents the first application of Amendment 24 to the Firearms Law, which seeks to toughen penalties due to the dangers posed by converting starter pistols into live firearms.
According to a report by Walla, the investigation began following intelligence information that led to the deployment of an undercover agent. Police data indicates that the defendant continued his business operations even after his previous shop was closed. A raid on the premises resulted in the seizure of starter pistols alongside dozens of items, including magazines, bolts, and long-gun assemblies. Law enforcement authorities emphasized that there is technical feasibility to convert these tools into operational weapons, posing a significant risk to the criminal underworld.
During sentencing arguments, the prosecution highlighted the severity arising from the public danger. Conversely, the defendant’s attorney, Mr. Lidawi, argued that these items were previously classified merely as dangerous toys and that this does not constitute a conventional weapons offense. The court rejected the defense's approach, ruling that the legislative amendment has altered the legal perception; lacking a license is no longer defined as a mere technical error, but rather as a violation of a vital threshold duty to prevent the leakage of weaponry to hostile elements.
In determining the sentence, both aggravating and mitigating factors were considered. The judge took into account the defendant’s confession and his assistance during the war, but placed significant weight on his six prior convictions. A sentencing range of 12 to 30 months was established, resulting in a final sentence of 16 months imprisonment, a suspended sentence, and a fine of 8,000 shekels. The implications for those in the field are clear: a significant escalation in enforcement and punishment regarding items previously considered "gray" areas. The judge clarified that the perception that trading in starter pistols and airsoft guns could be resolved via fines is no longer consistent with the need to address the threat of violent crime. The amendment to the Firearms Law is now a central tool for the prosecution to eradicate the phenomenon of tool conversion, and court directives are reflected in stricter sentences intended to deter potential dealers.