A 33 year old convicted drug dealer and sex attacker, Nordine Armani, killed 5 people and injured 123 others after chucking grenades at Christmas shoppers in Liege, Belgium. An 18 month year old baby, a 15 year old and a 17 year old were amongst the people killed.

Reports say Armani used a FN FAL rifle, which is capable of firing up to 700 rounds a minute, as well as a pistol and grenades in the attack. He died in the attack although investigators are unsure of whether he committed suicide or died accidentally, as he was on his way to the police station to be questioned. Witnesses said that they saw people with bullet wounds all over their bodies, underlining the realism of this horrible incident.

Armani was recently released from prison early, questioning the Belgium legal system and its psychological evaluation of prisoners. It also raises concerns about how a civilian was able to possess not only firearms but hand grenades too. I also don’t understand how this story was not a headline, just because it took place outside of the UK and doesn’t involve the USA doesn’t mean it isn’t relevant. Atrocities of this level should always be front page news, so people can see what severe damage actions like this cause, and to put pressure on that government to tighten the law.

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