A sports shooter from Drenthe asked the Council of State today to force the Minister of Justice to grant him an airsoft weapon exemption.
The shooting athlete from Drenthe thinks it is not right that he can only shoot with airsoft weapons if he becomes a member of the Dutch Airsoft Interest Association (NABV). “And I don’t want that. The NABV is the only airsoft sports association recognized by the minister, a monopoly. They determine everything,” said De Drent during a court case in The Hague.
The minister’s legal spokesperson came under considerable fire there. Because it seems to have outsourced all the ins and outs around the airsoft shooters to the NABV sports association. Also the supervision and control of those who shoot with airsoft weapons.
Aren’t these actually tasks for the police, the judge asked the minister’s counsel. “It’s going well. The police are already busy enough and cannot constantly monitor whether airsoft shooters comply with all the rules. The NABV is quite capable of doing that. And it is either become a member of the NABV or don’t shoot” said the counsel.
The Council of State also found it strange that the minister does not allow other airsoft associations. In theory, more associations can be admitted according to the law, but it does not happen.
The sports shooter from Drenthe confirmed this and said that he and a few supporters in the Northern Netherlands have submitted several requests for recognition of their association. “But the minister refuses all applications time and time again, because we are not representative or have too few members. But how can you get more members if you don’t have an association.” The Council of State will rule in a few weeks.