“There are very many illegal handguns in society,” Monorath stated. According to the minister, many people possess firearms for which they do not have a permit. The number of illegal weapons, particularly in the interior, is said to be alarmingly high.
The minister stated that some of these weapons were brought into the country by foreigners residing illegally in Suriname. However, he did not present concrete figures on the scale of the illegal arms trade or the number of firearms currently in society.
Police prepare targeted operations
According to Monorath, the KPS has developed several plans to reduce illegal firearm possession. The police will not limit themselves exclusively to traffic checks, but will also conduct targeted operations.
“We are working to seize all illegal handguns,” the minister said.
“There will not only be roadblocks, but also operations. Especially in the interior.”
The announced measures are intended to help reduce illegal firearm possession and strengthen security. It was not announced exactly when the operations will begin or which areas will be given priority.
Digital registration system to improve control
The approach to illegal firearm possession is linked to the introduction of a digital firearm registration system, which was officially launched on February 4, 2026. The system was developed in cooperation with the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS).
With the registration system, the government aims to gain greater insight into the origin, possession and movement of firearms. It is also intended to contribute to tracing illegal arms flows and strengthening regional cooperation in combating crime.
During the launch, Monorath stressed that the system can record the complete life cycle of a firearm.
“We can record the entire trajectory of a weapon, from production, purchase, import into Suriname, possession and use, through to destruction. Even after destruction, it can be traced that a weapon has actually been destroyed,” he stated at the time.
Weapons of security services will also be registered
The digital system is intended for the registration of various categories of firearms, including handguns and hunting rifles owned by civilians, as well as weapons belonging to shooting associations.
Firearms of the police, the Nationaal Leger, prison officers and other legally authorised bodies also fall under the registration system.
According to Monorath, weapons whose origin and registration cannot be established must be dealt with more strictly. During the launch, he announced that the government intends in time to introduce stricter rules and sanctions relating to illegal firearm possession.
Regional cooperation against illegal arms trade
The registration system forms part of a broader CARICOM IMPACS initiative to improve firearm control in the region. Suriname seeks to gain a better view of cross-border arms flows through this system.
According to previously provided information, there are suspicions that illegal firearms enter Suriname through, among others, Brazil, French Guiana and Guyana. No concrete figures have been announced on the scale of these arms flows.
During the launch, Monorath indicated that the government services involved have been trained according to international standards. According to him, the Directoraat Nationale Veiligheid plays a leading role in the implementation of the project.
Link with online firearm permits
In addition to registering firearms, the government is working on further digitising the permit process. Applications for permits for hunting rifles and handguns can now be submitted online, with payment also made digitally.
According to Monorath, an important next step is synchronising the digital permit system with the firearm registration system.
The minister previously stressed that the full registration of firearms is an extensive process. In the meantime, the announced police operations are intended to help reduce the number of illegal weapons in society.
