The Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Publico / OM) continues its firm fight against firearm possession. Firearms pose a major threat to public safety. Consequently, heavy prison sentences are consistently demanded for illegal firearm possession, as recent cases have demonstrated.
This week, the Court of First Instance sentenced a suspect under accelerated criminal proceedings (snelrecht) to a 24-month prison sentence, 12 of which are conditional, with a three-year probation period. The man had kept a submachine gun under his bed for years.
The second suspect in this same case will also appear before the judge soon. Photos and videos of the same submachine gun were found in his possession.
It frequently occurs that firearm cases come to light because individuals save photos and videos on their mobile phones. This week, the Court of First Instance will hear another firearm case in which the suspect had photos of various firearms on his phone, including a pistol, a revolver, and a submachine gun. Accelerated proceedings will also be applied in this case.
Approximately two weeks ago, another suspect was convicted for possessing a loaded revolver in his bag. He received a 21-month prison sentence, six of which are conditional, with a three-year probation period.
When determining sentence demands for firearm possession, prosecutors follow the Richtlijn vuurwapens en munitie (Firearms and Ammunition Guideline), which was anchored by the Attorney General in February 2021. The starting premise of this guideline is that the possession of firearms, ammunition, and magazines poses a severe threat to public order and safety.
The severity of the demanded sentence is determined by factors including the type of firearm, the circumstances under which the weapon was recovered, and any prior convictions of the suspect. The guideline distinguishes between “passive possession” (rustig bezit) and carrying a firearm in the public domain, such as on the street, in a car, or on a boat.
For heavier or automatic firearms, stricter sentencing benchmark criteria apply. Additionally, recidivism—where an individual has previously been convicted of firearm possession—is treated as an aggravating circumstance.
Where permitted by law, the Public Prosecutor’s Office utilizes accelerated criminal proceedings (snelrecht). Snelrecht entails bringing the suspect before a judge within a very short timeframe, allowing for swift and visible action against illegal firearm possession. So far in 2026, ten suspects have been convicted via snelrecht for firearm possession.
Firearm possession will not be tolerated. Anyone who chooses to possess a firearm must expect a high likelihood of a prison sentence. Therefore, the Public Prosecutor’s Office will continue to act decisively against anyone guilty of weapon possession.