65-year-old threatens children with rifles-police investigated in Bockenem!

65-year-old threatens children with rifles-police investigated in Bockenem!

Bockenem, Deutschland - in Bockenem, a small town in the Hildesheim district, on July 14, 2025 there was an incident that heated the minds and raised questions about gun ownership. A 65-year-old man allegedly threatened a group of five children and adolescents with a rifle, which had already repeatedly led to verbal arguments between those involved. The situation escalated when the group initially ran away with the rifle.
During the dangerous situation that took place around 7:30 p.m., a brave boy immediately informed the police, who then changed the suspect's house. The officials blocked adjacent paths and prepared for a possible finding of the man who had entrenched himself in his apartment. Ultimately, the 65-year-old could be arrested without resistance. He was cooperative, and as part of the search, the police found an air rifle, which was then confiscated. As reported [ndr.de] (https://www.ndr.de/niederrichten/niedersachsen/hannover_weser-leinegebiet/kinder-mit-gewroht-polpolmi-ermittelt- against-65-jahreigen ,aktuellhanover-314.html), a criminal proceedings were initiated due to the suspicion of threats.

But how could it get that far? The incident outlines a troubling location that not only affects the place of chocken, but also focuses on security in dealing with weapons in Germany. In recent years there have always been discussions about gun law. Legal weapons were often used in amotlets such as those in Erfurt, Winnenden and Hanau, which caused the Federal Ministry of the Interior to think about a change in weapons law. The draft for tightening the gun right is currently being coordinated with various ministries, as Deutschlandfunk reports.

weapons law and public security

The planned changes should serve to ensure that endangered people, such as politically radicalized or mentally ill people, have no access to weapons. Irene Mihalic from the Greens emphasizes that the dangers of private weapons possession urgently need to be evaluated. Among the registered gun owners in Germany are around 1,500 people who are considered right -wing extremist.

With the targeted reform, the Federal Government would also like to facilitate the withdrawal of weapon ownership cards and improve communication between the protection of the constitution, the weapons authorities and the police. Age limits for the purchase of large caliber weapons are to be increased, while proof of their intellectual suitability is required for younger buyers. In the coalition, however, there are concerns, especially of the FDP, which requires a comprehensive review of the previous changes in the law before issuing new laws.

appeal to witnesses

The Bad Salzdetfurth police asked the public in connection with the incident in Bockenem for help. Witnesses who have not yet been interviewed are asked to report on 05063/901-0. While the 65-year-old was released after his arrest, it remains to be seen how the investigation and the criminal proceedings initiated will progress against him, and what consequences this incident could have for the discussion about weapons law.

The events in Bockenem remind us that both the topic of responsibility in dealing with weapons and the security of the public should come first.