The two religious kibbutzim near Gaza are Sa'ad and Alumim. Sa'ad did not suffer a single death or kidnapping. Hamas terrorists did not enter Sa'ad even though it was less than a mile from Kfar Aza, where Hamas killed 54 civilians and kidnapped 20 others. Twenty-six IDF soldiers were killed trying to liberate Kfar Aza.

In Alumim, the town's armed security prevented Hamas from killing or kidnapping any Israelis. Hamas then targeted the Thai workers in the fields, killing 22 of them and kidnapping four. It is reasonable to assume that Sa'ad had armed security similar to Alumim, and thus, Hamas decided not to attack. //

In conclusion, gun laws that allow for personal gun ownership with fewer restrictions certainly help residents protect their families and homes from an attack. However, if the residents do not believe in purchasing firearms, then those laws are meaningless. Thus, even if Israel had allowed all of its civilians to purchase and carry guns without a permit, it is unlikely that it would have prevented the atrocities of October 7 due to the demographics that Hamas targeted that day. In short, many politically conservative Israelis hope their leftist counterparts wake up one day and understand the need to protect themselves without relying on the IDF or the police. Even after October 7, it remains to be seen whether that will be the case.