Holland: Psychological Test Exposes Hobby Hunters

In the world of hobby hunters in Holland there is currently a great deal of excitement.

As of 1 October, the so-called «E-Screener» was introduced by the Ministry of Justice and Security. This is a digital test that firearms owners must complete.

In 40 minutes, 100 psychological yes-or-no questions must be answered online. All holders of a hunting licence or firearms permit must complete the E-Screener within the next 3 years, though not all at the same time. Those over 60 and under 25 will be tested first.

Next year, it will be the turn of the 40 to 60 age group. The following year, firearms owners aged 25 to 40 will be called up for the «E-Screener». The test costs €54.45.

Anyone applying for a new hunting licence in Holland has, since 1 October, been required to complete the E-Screener first.

The first participants in the «E-Screener» report that the questions are straightforward and that they finished in good time. The police then evaluate the data collected. A consequence of the test may be that firearms owners have their weapons, hunting licence, and thereby their firearms permit automatically revoked in Holland.

20 to 25 percent fail the test

According to information from the Dutch hunting association, approximately 20% of hobby hunters fail the test. In Limburg, this figure is as high as 25%. There, 160 people completed the «E-Screener» and 39 subsequently had to surrender their firearm and hunting licence.

Every hobby hunter who already holds a hunting licence will be required to take the test. In the Netherlands, this affects around 27’000 wildlife killers.

2011 rampage as the trigger

According to Dutch media and the Dutch hunting association, the reason for introducing the «E-Screener» was a shooting rampage in 2011. At the time, Tristan van der V. shot six people. He had a firearms licence, but the police should never have issued the permit given his mental health problems, the Supreme Court ruled in September.

In order to better assess the risks posed by firearms in the future, gun owners are now to be subject to close scrutiny.

For some members, police were at their front door the day after the test to collect their weapon and hunting licence.

Dutch Hunting Association

Hunting association calls for abolition of the test

The Dutch hunting association is now advising those hobby hunters who receive a police invitation by post to take the «E-Screener» to postpone their appointment to February 2020, so as not to risk losing their hunting licence and weapon during the current hunting season. The hunting association has also filed a complaint against the procedure and is calling for a thorough evaluation.

The hunting association is calling for the abolition of the «E-Screener». It would prefer the police to make more frequent unannounced home visits.

The Ministry of Justice and Security is convinced that the introduction of the test is in line with EU legislation.

So far (as of 26 November 2019), 948 people have taken part in the tests. 204 failed and were required to hand over their weapons to the police.