Ownership of Firearms in the Netherlands

[RShaw]

Hi all - in answer to a question regarding ownership of firearms in the Netherlands, here below a basic overview:

First of all, owning and shooting a firearm in the Netherlands is seen as a priviledge, rather than as a basic right (as in the US.)

No person younger than 18 is legally allowed to own a gun.
No person with a criminal record is legally allowed to own a gun.
No person without a permit may own, transport, concealed carry, open carry, keep on private property, buy or sell either firearms or ammunition.

To enter the world of sportshooting (hunting is a separate topic- I won't comment on that here) one would do the following:

One registers at an accredited shooting club (called a "schietvereniging") in which one may practice under supervision at a range using firearms and ammunition owned and stored by the club. A "Certificate of Good Conduct" (VOG) must be requested by the new club member at the town hall, and be sumbitted to the club. With the VOG, and 3 months of practise under club supervision, one normally then becomes a full club member. After an additional 12 months active membership, and with the recommendation of the club, one can apply to local police for a gun permit. ("Active membership" is proven by having shot at the range at least 18 times during the 12 month full membership period- one carries a "schietregister" in which the signature of the club secretary and club stamp are used to record each shooting session.)

To actually obtain your permit, you must do the following:
- submit a passport photo
- fill out several forms with the help of the club secretary
- go through a more exhaustive background check by police
- obtain 2 safes approved for storing firearm and ammo separately
- secure the safes to the wall or floor with at least 2 bolts
- pass a visit by police to your residence to verify your safes are properly installed and in order.
- arrange to obtain 1 firearm (max 22 cal) which will be registered with your permit (One cannot have a permit without at least one firearm to go with it.)
- go to the police station and pick up your permit- (They call you)
- pick up the firearm registed with your permit

Once you have your permit, you are able to:
- own, store, and transport the firearm registerd with your permit
- buy / own only the ammunition suited for that firearm
- transport your unloaded firearm and ammo in separate containers, at least one container under lock and key using the shortest route to either gunsmith or shooting range.
- transport unloaded magazines with your firearm.

With this permit you can shoot as aften as you like in any range in the Netherlands, recording each shooting session as mentioned above. When transporting your firearm and / or ammo, one must have the original permit with the gun or ammo. (like driving a car- you need to have a driver's license on your person when driving.)

After 12 months with the above-described permit, and at least 18 shooting sessions, the permit can be extended; you are then allowed to own a maximum of 5 firearms up to but not larger than 9 mm.

After another 12 months, you can then obtain up to 45 caliber arms and ammunition.

If you have a collector's permit, you may own more than 5 firearms; I am not sure about these details right now.

Hope this wasn't too long- perhaps interesting for those of you who are curious about how it works in Europe (Netherlands). Other countries of course have different regulations. Germany is similar, and Belgium is considerably more relaxed. I don't know right now how other European countries operate.

Here a few photos of South Netherlands - Limburg