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At least five people have died at a shopping centre outside Amsterdam after a gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon before killing himself.
There were also at least 11 people wounded during the attack at the Ridderhof mall in the suburb of Alphen aan den Rijn, 15 miles (25km) southwest of Amsterdam.
Originally posted by Asktheanimals
But this shouldn't have happened there since guns are illegal, right?
This is why everyone who can own a firearm should have one and carry it.
I do, and if I ever find myself in that kind of situation at least I have a chance of stopping them.
My sympathies go out to all the victims, this is a horrible tragedy but it wasn't unavoidable.
When everyone is disarmed this kind of thing can happen anywhere, anytime.
So how does someone get a hold of a machine gun in the Netherlands anyway?
Very, very saddening.
Originally posted by Asktheanimals
But this shouldn't have happened there since guns are illegal, right?
This is why everyone who can own a firearm should have one and carry it.
I do, and if I ever find myself in that kind of situation at least I have a chance of stopping them.
My sympathies go out to all the victims, this is a horrible tragedy but it wasn't unavoidable.
When everyone is disarmed this kind of thing can happen anywhere, anytime.
So how does someone get a hold of a machine gun in the Netherlands anyway?
Very, very saddening.
Shopping centre shooting death toll reaches seven, gunman was local Saturday 09 April 2011 The gunman who shot dead seven people and injured 16 in a shopping centre in the town of Alphan aan den Rijn on Saturday has been identified as 24-year-old Tristan van der Vlis. Van der Vlis turned a gun on himself after spraying the shopping centre with bullets on a busy Saturday lunch time, sending shoppers fleeing in panic. According to the Telegraaf, Van der Vlis was known to the police in connection with illegal weapons and was a member of a gun club. He had a permit for five guns, the Telegraaf said.
Netherlands Dutch gun law is typical of the Western European approach. Firearm possession is not subject to any constitutional protections, but regulated simply in the Arms and Ammunition Act (Wet Wapens en Munitie). Weapons, including firearms, are divided into four categories, and for each of the categories a certain maximum punishment is set for "voorhanden hebben" (possession), and "dragen" (carrying in public). Only citizens who are hunters, members of shooting sports clubs or legitimate collectors may obtain licenses for firearms. In the case of shooting club members they will get a license for category III weapons (a firearms category which includes all non- full automatic firearms up to .50 cal.). Possession is generally limited to 5 firearms per license. Collectors may obtain a license for any category of firearm, including full automatic arms, but stringent rules apply to achieving collector status. There is no limit to the number of firearms a collector may obtain. Generally the collector license does not cover shooting these weapons. Sale/Use is only for those age 18 or over. There are a few dozen gunshops in the Netherlands. Gun ownership is extremely low with only three firearms per hundred people. Antique firearms are exempt from regulation, antique generally meaning all pre 1945 original muzzle loading firearms or firearms designed for black powder cartridges over .22 caliber, NOT being revolvers. Firearm possession and use by the military and the police is not subject to Arms and Ammunition Act, but regulated separately.[13]