It is prohibited to carry or possess a firearm or ammunition. Importing or exporting firearms or ammunition to or from Bonaire is also prohibited. In certain cases, the Lieutenant Governor may grant an exemption or permit allowing you to possess, import, or export a firearm or ammunition. This is only permitted for specific reasons and under strict conditions.
What does this product or service mean?
Consent
A consent is a permit (exemption) allowing you to import or export a firearm or ammunition to or from Bonaire. If you purchase a firearm or ammunition and wish to bring it to Bonaire, you need a consent.
Firearm Permit
A firearm permit is an authorization (exemption) allowing you to possess a firearm or carry it on your person while engaging in a specific activity. Examples include participating in shooting sports. A firearm permit is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually.
Purposes
You may only apply for a firearm permit for specific purposes.
- For a personal firearm that you use at a shooting club;
- To protect your livestock if you have a kunuku.
Some organizations may apply for a permit to possess firearms. The governor grants a firearm permit to an organization only in certain cases. Special conditions also apply in such cases.
When can you apply for this?
Permit
To obtain a permit, you must submit an application to the Governor’s Office.
You can only obtain a permit (for ammunition or a firearm) if you have already been granted a (fire)arm permit.
Firearm Permit
The requirements for obtaining a firearm permit depend on the purpose for which you are applying for the permit.
Sport Shooting
To obtain a personal firearm permit for sport shooting, you must:
- Be registered in the Bonaire population registry;
- Have been a member of the shooting club for at least 1 year;
- Complete and sign the application form in full;
- Submit a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). This must not be older than 3 months;
- Submit a medical certificate signed and stamped by your primary care physician and an optometrist. This certificate must not be older than 3 months;
- Submit the results of a psychological test. These results must not be older than 3 months;
- This requirement applies the first time you apply for a firearm permit and every 3 years thereafter;
- Submit a shooting proficiency and firearm safety certificate from the shooting club;
- Submit a letter from the shooting club stating that they agree you are eligible to obtain a personal firearm;
- If you are applying for a firearm permit for the first time, you must also submit a proof of purchase (or quote) for the firearm.
Kunuku
To obtain a firearms permit for the protection of your livestock, you must:
- Be registered in the Bonaire population registry;
- Complete and sign the application form (in full);
- Provide proof of purchase (or a quote) for the firearm for which the permit is being requested;
- Proof that the kunuku is owned, held under a leasehold, or rented;
- Proof that you own at least 50 head of livestock. Livestock includes goats, pigs, cows, and/or horses;
- A Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). This must not be older than 3 months;
- Submit a medical certificate signed and stamped by your primary care physician and an optometrist. This must not be older than 3 months;
- Submit the results of a psychological test. This must not be older than 3 months;
- This requirement applies the first time you apply for a (firearm) permit and every 3 years thereafter;
- A shooting proficiency and firearm safety certificate issued by the police.
Other types of (fire)arms
Some objects closely resemble firearms. Examples include air rifles, airsoft guns, and paintball guns. These objects can be used to commit crimes, including threatening or robbing people. For this reason, the authorities consider these objects to be firearms. You also need a (fire)arms permit for these objects.
A firearms permit is granted for air rifles, airsoft, and/or paintball guns only if you are a member of a shooting club recognized by the Minister of Justice and Security. You may not use these weapons on private property or outside of a club. This also applies to (compound) bows.
More information about the requirements for a firearms permit for any of these types of firearms can be found in Bonaire’s firearms policy.
General Firearms Permit
If an organization possesses firearms, it must hold a general firearms permit. The requirements for an organization are outlined in Bonaire’s firearms policy.
A general firearms permit is also issued for one year and must be renewed annually.
How do you apply for this?
For Applying for a Consent
An application for a consent for the import, export, or transport of weapons or ammunition must be submitted at least two (2) weeks before the date of import, export, or transport.
An application for a permit must always be submitted in writing using the (legally prescribed) application form. The application form is available in person at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or can be downloaded from the website of the Public Entity of Bonaire.
An application may be submitted to the Office of the Governor, Kaya Grandi 30, or via email to wapenmachtiging@bonairegov.com.
An application for a consent is checked for completeness upon submission. Only complete applications will be processed. An application is considered complete if the form is fully completed and signed, and all necessary documents are attached.
A decision on an application for consent that has been accepted for processing will be made within two weeks.
To Apply for a Firearms Permit
An application for a firearms permit must be submitted in writing using the (legally prescribed) application form. Depending on the purpose of the application, certain supporting documents must also be included with the application.
The application form is available in person at the Governor’s Office or can be downloaded from the website of the Public Entity of Bonaire.
Completeness of the Application
An application for a firearms permit is checked for completeness upon submission. Only complete applications will be processed. An application is considered complete if the form is fully completed and signed, and all necessary documents are attached.
An application may be submitted to the Governor’s Office, Kaya Grandi 30, or via email to wapenmachtiging@bonairegov.com.
Decision Period
A decision on an application for a firearms permit that has been accepted for processing will be made within four weeks.
Timeframe for Applying to Renew a Firearms Permit
A permit is issued for one calendar year. A new application (renewal application) must be submitted for each new calendar year. To do so, you must complete the application form again and include the required attachments.
A renewal application may be submitted annually between September 1 and October 15.
One of the requirements for applying for a firearms permit is a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG). When applying for a renewal, a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) no older than 3 months must always be submitted. The VOG is also requested from the Office of the Governor. To assist applicants, the option is offered to submit the VOG application and the renewal application for the firearms permit simultaneously. If the VOG application is approved, the renewal application for the firearms permit is immediately and automatically processed and finalized. The processing time for a VOG application is 5 weeks. The applicant will also receive the VOG upon issuance of the firearms permit.
What does it cost?
Currently, no fees are charged for applications for a consent or a firearms permit.
Which laws and rules apply?
What do we do with your personal data?
When you submit a request or report, the Public Entity of Bonaire needs your personal data. The Public Entity of Bonaire handles your data with care.
The BES Personal Data Protection Act specifies how the Public Entity of Bonaire must do this.
The most important rules are:
- The Public Entity of Bonaire only requests data necessary to process your request or report.
- They record and process your data securely, confidentially, and with care.
- Your data will only be used for the application or report, or for something directly related to it.
- Your data will not be retained longer than necessary for the application or report.
- Other organizations will only receive your data if required by law.
- You may ask how your data is being used and what happens to it.
