The Fifteen-Year-old Boy Who was Shot Dead by Police in Capelle aan den IJssel on Sunday was Carrying a Converted Firearm. Such Weapons Are Very Popular Among Young People. But what is such a weapon actual?
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) Reported on Wednesday that the fifteen-year-old boy from Gouda was carrying a “Gas alarm pistol” when officers shot he at the mcdonald’s in Capelle aan den IJssel. But such a weapon does not exist. The Police Distinguish between Gas Pistols and Alarm Pistols.
You May Know Alarm Pistols from Sports Competitions Where A Starting Shot is fired, Such as skating or swimming. These have a closed barrel, so -only white cartridges can be fired. A Gas Pistol is Used as a Self-Defense Weapon Against, For Example, Wild Animals. The barrel contains a steel pin, so that no bullet but, for example, gas or pepper spray can come out.
A spokesperson for the om Tells nu.nl that they are aware of the distinction between the two types of weapons. It is not Possible to say which Weapon was Involved in the Case Surrounding the Boy Who Was Shot Dead in Capelle.
This is because both weapons are of converted, so that they actual function as a ‘real’ pistol. Criminals Drill a hole in the Barrel or Replace the Entire Barrel, Allowing Bullets to Be Fire, Says Weapons Expert William (Surname Known to the Editors). He works at the weapons, Ammunition and Explosives Department of the Forensic Investigation.
Converted Weapons are cheap and relatively easy to obtain
Such a converted weapon is a QUITE an attractive alternative to an ordinary firearm. The Police Estimate that 40 to 50 percent of all confiscated firearms are converted gas or alarm pistols. Among Young People, that percentage is probably much higher, says a police spokesperson.
In Any Case, Firearm Possession Among Minors Seems to Have Increased in Recent Years. In 2020, The Police Registered 258 judgments of Young People with a Firearm in Their Possession. In 2024, that was 358, An Average of Almost One judgment per day. Accordance to the Police, these figures provide a limited picture, because it may also be that officers have Become more alert to firearms, for example.
Neverberness, there are reasons that can explain the rise of the converted pistol. First of all, they are relatively easy to obtain. Gas Weapons Are Legally for Sale in Germany, Alarm Pistols Are in Belgian Stores. Althegh Both Weapons – Even if they are not converted – are prohibited in the Netherlands, People Run Little Risk When making a purchase Abroad thanks to the open borders.
Moreover, Accordance to Weapons Expert William, They are a lot Cheaper than Real Weapons. The Weapons Often Cost Around 150 euros in Belgium and Germany. Converting is not very easy, but there are enough intermediaries who resell the converted copies on the dark web for around 700 euros. That is still a lot cheaper than real weapons, which or cost thousands of euros.