13-Year-Old Boy Granted Gun License in Hungary Raises Concerns
In a shocking incident, a 13-year-old boy in Hungary was able to obtain a gun licence through a client portal without facing any difficulties. The child had already bought an alarm pistol with his pocket money from a gun shop in Budapest, as per the Hungarian law which allows minors to purchase a gun. However, the boy spent days browsing the internet and was eventually able to acquire an official permit through a system malfunction.
The boy’s father, who was as surprised as the authorities, had thought that his son stood no chance of obtaining a certificate as age is a prerequisite for a gun licence. However, to their shock, the boy received a plastic card with his name, type of gun and serial number from the postman. The case came to light when the boy lost his licence, and the police launched an investigation.
The Budapest Police Headquarters has stated that an administrative error occurred in this case, and the boy’s certificate was revoked over a month later. Commenting on the case, Zsolt Kardos, the manager of a gun shop in Debrecen, said that buying a pistol in Hungary is like taking a sweater off the shelf in a shop, and anyone can do it.
The Interior Minister of Hungary, Sándor Pintér, stated that the boy’s case was unprecedented, and due to administrative error, the competent authority did not legally issue a permit for a minor to carry a gas and alarm weapon for self-defence purposes. The investigation into the matter has been closed, as per reports.
The incident raises serious concerns about gun control laws in Hungary and the loopholes that could potentially endanger young people. It highlights the importance of strict laws and regulations governing the purchase, sale and ownership of firearms, and the need for appropriate checks and balances to prevent minors from obtaining guns.
