Hi Dwight.
The first law became effective in 1890. An updated version appeared after World War 1 (for obvious reasons, although the Dutch remained neutral, the number of firearms that entered the country was a major concearn). The law was updated in 1919 and again after WW2 in 1946. In 1965 the law was modified in order to get rid of 'unwanted' firearms, that is firearms that cannot be used for normal recreative use, like very small caliber pocket pistols, riot guns, full-auto firearms and those with folding buttstocks. The current law is based upon a 1989 revision, which united all the little laws and regulations in one new law.
Basically it states that no-one may carry or own firearms unless they have a valid reason. If there is a valid reason, the local police may supply the requestor with a permit. The number of reasons seen as valid have been subject to constant revision and change.
At the moment, private citizens may obtain a license for sports shooting and hunting only, which is limited to guns that can be used for sports shooting disciplines and hunting purposes. No full-auto firearm can ever be obtained by a private person on a sports shooting license. Collecting permits are just about impossible, only for museums, etc.. Of course gun shops have a valid reason to obtain a permit.
There is one, I think righteous, exception and that is that resistance veterans who fought in WW2, could obtain a license to keep their WW2 firearms.
In order to stay true to our trading nature, there are exceptions for the trafficing of firearms
