Gaines educates Towns Republicans on Israeli security training

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Dr. W. George Gaines, Director of Open Enrollment at Israel Military Industries (IMI) Florida Academy for Advanced Homeland Security, was the featured speaker at the Oct. 17 meeting of the Towns County Republican Party.

IMI Florida Academy is an affiliate of Israel’s IMI Systems Advanced Homeland Security Academy, recognized worldwide as the leading provider of Homeland Security for integrated training solutions to combat terrorism.

Gaines explained that Israeli security forces and citizens are tasked with first responder responsibilities, rather than reliance on Israeli law enforcement. “Children are taught the importance of security forces from a very young age,” Gaines, who described Israel as a small county in a bad neighborhood, said. “Military service is required for men and women.” The security expert stated that Israeli military service is seen as a rite of passage for Israeli citizens. Security training is viewed as “patriotic service.”

Gaines taught that requirements for owning a firearm in Israel are highly regulated, with a single weapon allowed and a maximum of 50 rounds permitted. Licenses are valid for 3 years and extensive training and requalification is mandatory. Approximately 40 percent of requested permits are rejected.

“Israel has universal military service, we do not,” Gaines said. “How long will it be before we return to the concept of citizen-soldier? Israel has over 175,000 active-duty soldiers stationed around the nation; they must carry their weapons openly. When was the last time you ever saw a U.S. soldier off-base and carrying a weapon? Israel has over 135,000 highly-trained security officers, many of which are armed. U.S. private security must protect buildings and facilities; it would be unfair to compare these with Israeli security forces who have a different level of training and enjoy legal protection.”

Gaines concluded the meeting by demonstrating basic firearm techniques. “We cannot count on law enforcement to be on hand when a threat occurs. Each of us needs to be responsible for our own security. That places the burden squarely on us, citizens who carry firearms to respond to a threat to innocent lives. Do we have the mindset of the ‘Israeli Single Fighter?’ Do we have the tactical skills to stop a threat without getting killed? The mission of IMI Florida Academy is to provide Israeli Tactical Training to law enforcement and civilians so that they can approach the level of an Israeli security officer.”

Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton and Towns County Fire Chief-Coroner Harold Copeland attended the event.

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