Police seize gelblaster toy gun used to threaten drivers in Middelburg
Police in Middelburg seized a fake weapon on Wednesday after someone waved it from a moving car. The object in question was a gelblaster, a toy gun that shoots small gel balls. It is not clear where exactly the incident took place.
Gelblasters, which bear a European safety certification, are legal as toys in the Netherlands, according to police. However, the toy guns are prohibited from being used to threaten or shoot at people.
A Middelburg neighborhood officer shared details of the incident on Instagram, stating that weapons resembling real firearms, when used to threaten or intimidate, can be confiscated and the act is considered a criminal offense. The officer noted that the individual who reported the incident was understandably alarmed by the situation.
The rise in incidents involving gelblasters has been a concern for authorities. Two years ago, the police reported an increase in these types of incidents, which was partly attributed to a trend on TikTok where videos circulated showing people shooting gelblasters at others. A police spokesperson explained that such situations could escalate into dangerous encounters, as officers on the scene may not immediately recognize the weapon as a toy. While some toys can be immediately identified as such, other gelblasters can look rather realistic.
“It’s certainly possible that you could be held at gunpoint by police, and in those situations, it’s crucial that individuals follow instructions carefully,” the spokesperson said.
