Gun politics in Finland - a few questions.

H_exar · Post by **H_exar** » Mon May 13, 2013 11:21 pm

Hi

I have a collection of firearms (semi-auto rifle, bolt action rifle, few handguns, revolvers and pump action shotgun).
I'm moving to Finland for a few years and I would not want to leave weapons in police deposit. I know I can bring a weapon for some time from another EU country (with european firearms pass), but is it possible hold it for a longer perion of time in Finland?

My second question is about the Finnish firearms licenses. Can someone with "collectors licence" buy ammunition for his weapons and shoot on shooting range? I'm just curious but I can't find any information about it :/

**Sponsor:**

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:16 am

You might get trouble with the handguns - they're more or less banned these days. Pump shotguns as well. Geneeally to have a rifle you need to be a hunter. and collector licences are hard to get - you need to show the gun vailt etc. Besides which these days you have to get an "insanity check" done by a doctor, so I don't know if you can pull that one off so easy.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:11 am

OP, re handguns, they are not "more or less banned" at all. You need to show a minimum of two years of having an active pistol shooting hobby (target shooting, IPSC, etc.) plus get a doctors certificate. A bird hunting or clay pigeon shooting hobby will get you a licence for a shotgun (single, U/O, S/S, pump or semi-auto). Small bore rifle licences (bolt and semi-auto) shouldn't be a problem, likewise bolt action full bore. Best to join a range club though, to show you have somewhere to shoot. The biggest problem you will probably find is with a semi-auto rifle. Licences are still possible for these, but you need to be active in competition. Again, if you have history of such a hobby, make sure you have the records ready.

Also note, that different police forces in Finland may apply the law slightly differently.

Lastly, be careful what advice you listen to on this forum. Lots of townies around who know zilch about guns, beyond what they might have read in the newspaper....

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue May 14, 2013 9:53 am

Yeah, show a "hobby" and try to get a licence for a 9mm... Nevermind a revolver without a meter-long barrell...

probably in the boonies the local sheriff gives you a licence for a cannon... In GHA they went !"#¤% paranoid when the new law came so only target pistol is one of those bolt action .22's

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Tue May 14, 2013 6:02 pm

My "kids" have managed to get licences within the past few months (Espoo) - no problems.
The health check went something like this:
"Is there anything wrong with you?"
"No."
"Do you have any problems?"
"No."
<End of conversation>

Like Karhunkoski says, it varies from one place to another and also from one person to another, whether the police, the doctor or whoever.
My kids have hunting licences, club membership and compete regularly, so maybe that helps.

There are several Finnish forums where you can ask more specific questions and, even if you post in English, there will always be someone who'll answer your questions.

H_exar · Post by **H_exar** » Tue May 14, 2013 8:01 pm

That's a good idea. I'll try post my questions on some more "specialised" forum.
World is going to end: less problems with gun permit in Poland than in Finland

I have collector's licence because I never had time for hunting or sport shooting. I just love firearms and want to ocasionally shoot with them.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:27 pm

Rosamunda wrote:My "kids" have managed to get licences within the past few months (Espoo) - no problems.

Short arms?
If so, then I tip the hat and adjust my thinking about Espoo police.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Tue May 14, 2013 11:54 pm

I think it just depends whether you belong to a club and how active you are.

dave071061 · Post by **dave071061** » Wed May 15, 2013 6:22 pm

Rosamunda wrote:I think it just depends whether you belong to a club and how active you are.

Thats´reassuring

Wasn´t Michael Ryan an active member of the local shooting club as well as a collector of guns before the Hungerford massacre.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:05 pm

dave071061 wrote: Thats´reassuring

I think it's reassuring too.

In a gun club ,the youngsters get coaching in safe and responsible use of guns. They also get to mix, socialise and create lasting friendships with other human beings. I think that's a much better option than society demonising guns and gun owners, leaving some to skulk off on their own, whilst feeling bitter that others are critical of their hobby.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Thu May 16, 2013 9:38 am

Karhunkoski wrote:
dave071061 wrote: Thats´reassuring
I think it's reassuring too.

In a gun club ,the youngsters get coaching in safe and responsible use of guns. They also get to mix, socialise and create lasting friendships with other human beings. I think that's a much better option than society demonising guns and gun owners, leaving some to skulk off on their own, whilst feeling bitter that others are critical of their hobby.

Especially now that the time is near when you pop to piratebay, download some guns and print them with 3d-printer.

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Thu May 16, 2013 1:25 pm

Well as long as we only have once a week a house standoff/crisis with guns and police, every five years a school shooting, sometimes a roofshooting etc. we should welcome all guns that we can get, let children play with them etc. Afterwards we can discuss and continue like nothing has happened.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Thu May 16, 2013 8:05 pm

Rick1 wrote:Well as long as we only have once a week a house standoff/crisis with guns and police, every five years a school shooting, sometimes a roofshooting etc. we should welcome all guns that we can get, let children play with them etc. Afterwards we can discuss and continue like nothing has happened.

Fact: In Finland, guns are here to stay. It is not realistically possible to ban them, for a number of reasons, e.g. cost of compensating gun owners for confiscation, the voting power of gun owners, the 100,00 or so unregistered firearms still around, etc. Also if there were no hunters culling the 50,000 to 100,000 moose annually, the increase in road deaths would far exceed those caused by random shootings.

In light of the above, I think it's a great idea to get kids who happen to be interested in guns, signed up to gun clubs. Throw in some improved care for the mentally ill and help prevent marginalised youth, and society would be near perfect

Popeye · Post by **Popeye** » Thu May 16, 2013 8:47 pm

Where can you shoot clay pigeons around Helsinki area? And how is it called in finnish?

Thanks!

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Thu May 16, 2013 10:00 pm

Popeye wrote:Where can you shoot clay pigeons around Helsinki area? And how is it called in finnish?

Thanks!

Definitely around. There has been push for range in or near Helsinki, but with all the things that have happened... not going to happen.
http://www.metsastajaliitto.fi/uusimaa/?q=sv/node/226

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland