TL/DR: Gun ownership in Europe is a privilege, not a right. Never give up your guns.

Spent some time in the Netherlands and Germany over the past couple of weeks with some friends and had an opportunity to go shooting with them at a range in western Germany. It was truly a fascinating experience to learn about the extent of the restrictions they are required to follow for the privilege of owning a firearm.

First, in the Netherlands, they can own only six firearms. They can have only bolt actions and side by side shotguns (not sure about pump actions). No semi-auto weapons and no pistols.

They are required to go through an extensive background screening and approval process. In the photo, you can see all of the documentation required in order to possess and transport your firearms. In the case of my friends, their rifles have interchangeable barrels and bolts to swap calibers. Each barrel and bolt is serialized and registered to the owner. The firearms and ammo must be kept in separate safes and the key for the ammo must be kept in a separate location from the gun safe. The state can come into your home once per year to inspect and enforce these rules. Supposedly they cannot enter your home if you’re not there.

You also run the risk of losing your firearm ownership privileges for traffic violations. If you’re caught drinking and driving, you’ll most likely lose your guns. The same thing goes for speeding. If you’re going 20km over the limit, you will likely get a warning. If you go 40km over the limit and get caught, you’ll likely lose your guns.

In Germany, firearms are also heavily regulated just not quite as much as in Holland. They do not appear to have a limit on the number of firearms they can own. I believe they can own semi-autos and suppressors but only after a rigorous background check process. The process includes “qualifying” with your weapon at the range and passing a test. Supposedly there’s a proposed law that would also require all semi-auto firearms to be painted blaze orange. I’m hearing all of this from the range owner as we conversed in broken English and German so I might be off on some of the details.

The range itself is spectacular with two separate one hundred meter ranges. One is meant for bench shooting and zeroing your rifle on conventional targets. The other is a “virtual” experience where they have an interactive screen that places you in various hunting scenarios and you shoot at deer, boar, elk, etc. You can rent rifles there, as I did, or bring your own. The range provides you with ammo (at a very high cost per round) and you shoot a course of five rounds at a time. After each shot, you can see where your bullet struck on the animal. It was interesting to see that there were more than a couple of spots in the rubber-coated floor where someone fired an errant round into it. This place also has a top notch ventilation system. I barely smelled anything after all of the shooting we did.

Apparently the range also serves as a police training facility where they put “shoot/don’t shoot” scenarios on the screen. The range owner was reluctant to show the program to me so I didn’t force the issue.

On a side note, my friends and I were shooting Blaser rifles, a .223 and two .308s. It was a first for me. All I knew about Blasers was that I always saw them on the main page of Gunbroker and that they’re expensive AF. Well, after shooting them, I understand why. They utilize a straight pull bolt which is extremely smooth and fast to shoot. It was also the softest shooting .308 I’ve ever shot. I never really cared for how they looked with the thumbhole stock but I must say that I’m a believer now and hope to add one to my collection someday.

All in all, it was an amazing evening of shooting and meeting some new friends that are equally enthusiastic about firearms as we are. The German range employees were shocked as I scrolled through my phone showing them photos of my collection. On more than a couple of occasions, the Germans and my Dutch friends all kept repeating the same mantra; “Do not give up your guns. Don’t end up like us.” Good advice.