I've been thinking about something and want to check an assumption I have. I only hear directly from other people in the USA, and interract with the global community through memes. How are the gun regulations/laws different from yours in terms of strictness, and do you wish there was more or less where you live?
Not looking for a debate here, discuss cold drinks vs hot drinks instead. Appreciate either answer. ❤️
Edit: Thanks for the answers all. I'm super proud how productive eveyone kept this talk. I figured most of you had very different experiences than I. I'll share my most recent experience. I don't have a firearm, but have considered it after being trained enough. When sharing this with "normal" people around town, I had multiple people offer to sell or gift me a gun where the serial number was scratched off and non-traceable. I ofter heard, "oh man, yeah. You need a gun." I have literally never needed one. The fact that people offer to give me one when I don't have a liscence or training shows the mindset of the minority here and how much of a problem a few individuals can make to safety within the current system.
In Belgium.
Generally you can only easily buy hunting rifles here.
But you can buy every kind of firearm if you get the proper licenses and have them registered.
My uncle is a gun nut. He doesn't fire them other than the required qualification renewals. He's more into them to show off and simply have them.
His most prized guns are a Barret M82-a1 and an antique "elephant gun" chambered in .577 Express.
He has a load of various revolvers, handguns, a couple ARs and an AK, all bought legally.
All but the "normal caliber" hunting rifles he owns are to be either disabled (firing pin removed) or stored at a shooting range.
Most of them are disabled and in a display case at his home. The Barret, 2 ARs and some of the handguns are at the shooting range.
EDIT: note, there are of course different regulations when you're in a profession that requires a gun, like security.
My answer is how it is for your regular person that just wants guns for recreation or show.
Are there places you can go for hunting in Belgium?
Yes.