HUB SPEAKS: PROHIBITED TOYS
From the old box the following Hub article from 2003 about “forbidden toys”. Just having a toy gun from which you can shoot peas can earn you a fine of 250 to 450 euros. Not for example in France, Spain, and Portugal. But in the Netherlands.
The reason for this strict NL ban is that these toys & gifts for 3 year old boy on the face are almost indistinguishable from real and can, therefore, be used to threaten someone.
Apart from the fact that, although unwise, it could therefore also be used for self-defense, this statement is by no means a reason to simply fine anyone for “owning” it. Then we also have to find people for owning a potato peeler, a kitchen knife, a pocket knife, a hockey stick, and so on. You can threaten anyone with anything.
Just call the “car”. I can’t imagine a more threatening weapon than the car. Every day a few people die in the Netherlands. Ten deaths in a weekend are no exception.
When would the simple possession of a car become a criminal offense?
The sad thing about this hype against gun ownership is that it helps criminals and makes committing crimes less dangerous, so more attractive. This increases crime.
Reaction:
Weapons remain a point of discussion.
The Colt Single Action Army, a military revolver called the Peacemaker. The thing is known as “The Gun That Won the West”. But winning the West was a matter of going somewhere and subjugating people by force.
As with anything, it’s just what you use or misuse a firearm for. You can “protect” someone from misconduct by forbidding the sole possession of a utensil, but you can also leave someone free to guard and protect freedom (of themselves and others). This is of course accompanied by responsibilities. For example, a basic rule for firearms is that you should never aim at someone if you don’t want to shoot them. If it goes wrong, it is the same as driving into someone with a car. You are free to do something, but not to avoid the consequences.