kungfuhippie
Member
I got this from another thread, it was completely off topic.
Is it me, or is this a great example of the dangerous mind set the left is trying to inflict on us. No offense to O.P. but just all the regulations...
Is it me, or is this a great example of the dangerous mind set the left is trying to inflict on us. No offense to O.P. but just all the regulations...
Sure I will enlighten you a bit, you may even be surprised at the way people here in general look at firearms.
You must understand there is a giant difference in history when comparing Holland to the United States.
In the America there was no law in the beginning and a man had to be able to defend himself against whatever came along, go hunting for food etc, which is absolutely logical.
The Dutch have always had law enforcement and regulations, therefore gunownership was not an issue. If you had a problem you would not pull your gun but use your fist, knive or call the police. The people with firearms were, and still are, soldiers, police and such. Private gun ownership has always been prohibited as far as I know, logical as well since I doubt it would made the situation safer having everybody running around with firearms. The fist is without a doubt safer.
Just about every American has grown up with or in the neighborhood of guns and this continues upto this day. It is a part of life and that is the major difference between our countries. Guns are not a part of life in Holland and have never been.
The Dutch do not have the right to bear arms, we get the priviledge to own arms, which is completely different. I actually feel privileged that our government feels that it is safe for our citizens that I own firearms. They have given me quite a responsibility. It is different to the American way of thinking but I find it not too bad. Can you see my point of view?
Gun ownership is under strict regulations obviously.
You must not have a criminal record that is younger than eight years. This is checked prior to joining a shooting club of which it is mandatory to be a member.
You must shoot at least for one year before you can get your gunpermit.
You must shoot a mimimum of 18 times a year. This is recorded at the shooting club and in a little book that you own in which you get a stamp each time you visit the shooting range.
If you shoot less than 18 times a year you will loose your permit and your gun privilege. You will have to give up your guns. The probable idea behind that being: If you do not find shooting that interesting, why own guns?
When choosing a firearm you must have an okay from your shooting club and from your local police. Usually not a problem.
We may have a maximum of 5 of justabout any firearm, pistols, revolvers, rifles, even AK47's or AR15's as long as they are not full automatic.
.50 caliber or larger is prohibited.
If a certain gun is not in stock at the gunshop it can be ordered for you.
Firearms must be stored in a safe at all times. You have acces to the key, nobody else (including your wife!)
The police may visit to inspect your gun serial numbers and if you have your papers correct etc. If you are just on your way to work you can ask them to come by another time, and they will. Sometimes there may be years between visits.
You may have a maximum of 10.000 rounds at home.
You can only buy ammunition in the caliber for guns that you own.
Blackpowder, I believe a maximum of two kilo's at home but nobody checks.
True historical blackpowder weapons are seen as antique and are free to have for anybody, which is not a general known fact however. You can hang them on the wall if you like.
All guns made before 1873 are free. Centerfire cartridge revolvers after 1873 are prohibited. Rifles/muskets/shotguns are all free as long as they have no nitro proofed barrels. All guns made after 1945 are prohibited, including blackpowder arms.
Strange... blackpowder is free as are percussion caps en round lead balls.
This not commonly known.
The general idea about firearms in the Dutch population?
If you shoot firearms you may be some kind of criminal, or there is something wrong in your head. Normal people don't use guns, they're dangerous and nothing good will come from it.
The only well known shooting sport are the regular double barrel shotgun hunters 'that blow away innocent rabbits'.
I don't feel the need of killing anything myself so I keep to paper targets. Personal preferences.
That's how it's done in Holland, quite different from the United States I think.
I envy the space you have, shooting outdoors and such. That is quite limited here.
Overall may seeme like at lot of hassle and regulations but in fact it is not too bad for a small overregulated and overcrowded country (15 million or so and it's just something like 225 miles high and less than 150 miles wide probably). I don't think it needs to be changed. although I'd like to see the maximum of 5 permit guns changed to a bit more but you can't have it all.
Everybody that is interested in the shooting sport can start shooting in Holland and that's important, unless you're a criminal ofcoarse... But they have illegal guns anyway.
