If you participate in airsoft, a kind of war with ‘toy weapons’, you can now own and use an airsoft weapon without being a member of the Dutch Airsoft Interest Association (NABV). After more than four years of struggle and litigation, Dirk van Kempen has achieved this.
Dozens of men and women regularly compete against each other on various airsoft grounds in the Netherlands, including on the site of the former Traffic Park Assen. Armed with an airsoft gun that shoots small plastic balls, they play a kind of war for adults. Goal? Complete a mission in ‘enemy’ territory.
Van Kempen is one of those Dutch people who takes up this hobby. But he does not want to become a member of the NABV. And that is a condition for being allowed to keep and use an airsoft gun. “I don’t want to be forced to join a club,” says Van Kempen, who until recently lived in Elim, in the Radio Drenthe program Cassata. The NABV is the only airsoft association recognized by the minister. “There have been attempts to set up more associations, but they were not allowed.”
In order to be allowed to play airsoft, he may be invited as an introduction a maximum of six times a year. “The funny thing is that if you want to have a firearm, you are not obliged to be a member of a shooting club. Why is it mandatory for a toy?”
Because that’s it, according to Van Kempen. When an airsoft gun has a CE mark, it is seen as a toy and it is allowed. But if you have a heavier airsoft weapon, you must be a member of the NABV. And that is why he went to court and later to the Council of State. And the latter proved him right. “It violates the right to unite. That is why the Minister of Justice must grant me an exemption.”
For the time being, it is waiting for Van Kempen. Wait until he receives an exemption from the ministry. Until then he can participate, but only as an introduction.