The Aruba Police Force (KPA), in conjunction with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, announces the start of a national campaign to surrender illegal firearms. This is an inter-island initiative involving the police forces of the Dutch Caribbean in cooperation with the Board of Police Chiefs (College van Korpschefs). This effort is a collaboration across the Dutch Caribbean with the cooperation of the Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.
The police and the Prosecutor’s Office emphasize that the use of illegal firearms leads to serious incidents and fuels a sense of insecurity within the community. Under the law, anyone found in possession of an illegal firearm will be arrested and sentenced by a judge; some individuals face years in prison for possession alone.
Recognizing that some individuals may wish to get rid of an illegal weapon but fear arrest or the need to identify themselves, this campaign offers a safe alternative:
- Period: From March 24, 2026, to April 24, 2026.
- Location (East of the Bridge): A blue container located next to the San Nicolas police station.
- Location (West of the Bridge): To be announced in the coming days.
- Amnesty: Persons surrendering illegal firearms during this period will NOT face criminal prosecution and will remain anonymous.
- Ammunition: This also applies to bullets and firearm parts.
Important: After this period, anyone found with an illegal firearm will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law
