Controls on gun ownership should be more extensive than is often the case now. This is what four Dutch police unions say. The reason for their call is the double murder in Weiteveen. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect in this case, Richard K., did not have a permit for the weapons he used.
The current police capacity is too limited to carry out thorough checks, explains Albert Springer from Eext. He is vice-chairman of NPB, one of the unions involved. “The police are constantly making choices,” he says.
Agents still monitor firearms permits, but this is done less extensively than it should actually be. If nothing changes, Springer fears we will have to wait for the next incident. “How important do you think human life is?” he asks.
More police officers with more time can make a better assessment of possible dangers. “You drink a cup of coffee and get to know someone better,” says Springer.
In practice, mainly hunters and members of shooting clubs have one or more weapons. They are bound by rules laid down in a permit. These legal gun owners must be tested for this by the police at regular intervals. But according to Springer, ‘just showing the papers’ is not enough. “Then you check something you knew was already there.”
If you take time for a conversation, “then you really hear what is happening,” says Springer. “For example, you can quickly see whether a weapon and ammunition are stored separately. But you don’t get around to all those other things.”
He advocates training police officers so that they can better assess potential danger. “Attention, time and rest are needed. Not the chance to be called away at any moment.”
Outgoing minister Dilan Yesilgöz (VVD) takes the unions’ call ‘seriously’. She reports that she is conducting a broad investigation into the weapons system. This examines whether the inspection can be carried out differently.