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The Dutch Weapons and Ammunition Act divides weapons into four categories. Category I: all prohibited bladed weapons – that is, weapons designed to cause death or injury through direct contact with the victim – as well as certain other dangerous hand weapons, such as stilettos or throwing knives. You are never allowed to possess such items. Category II covers all prohibited firearms and other particularly dangerous weapons, such as military firearms or tear gas. Category III includes weapons that you are not only forbidden to carry, but generally also forbidden to possess, unless you have a special permit (for example, for hunters or sports shooters). Category IV concerns weapons you may not carry in public, but may keep at home – if you are over 18 years old – such as rapiers, swords, sabers, or batons.

The law specifies very precisely what you can and cannot do with each weapon category. For Category I weapons, it is forbidden to manufacture, modify, repair for others, transfer, possess, carry, transport, or import/export them. For Categories II, III, and IV, you may not carry these weapons in public. You are also not allowed to possess Category II and III weapons unless you have the appropriate permit. You may keep Category IV weapons at home – if you are over 18 – but you cannot take them outside. One of the most important questions in such cases is whether you knew that the item you possessed is considered a weapon. The court often assumes you were aware of this. However, doubts may arise – for example, if you possess an item that is normally used for something else, but could still be classified as a weapon, such as a stun gun disguised as a flashlight.