Several amendments to Firearms Act to be prepared

The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to amend the Firearms Act and the Firearms Decree. Provisions concerning loading devices, silencers and the storage of cartridges, among other things, will be clarified. A comprehensive review of the provisions governing deactivated weapons will also be carried out.

The project will prepare the legislative amendments for which a need has been identified after the entry into force of the EU Firearms Directive and its national implementation. The previous amendments to the Firearms Act entered into force in 2019.

The project will prepare amendments to the provisions of the Firearms Act on the markings of firearms or firearm components as required by EU legislation. The markings will improve the traceability of firearms and their components. 

The provisions applicable to loading devices, silencers and the storage of cartridges will be clarified. Due to missing identification numbers, individual tracking of loading devices and silencers is not possible in the same way as in the case of other firearm components. Currently, provisions on the storage of cartridges are laid down both in the Firearms Act and in chemical safety legislation.

Provisions on deactivated weapons to be examined comprehensively 

The project will also examine the provisions governing deactivated weapons. The aim is to ensure that the definitions applicable to them and the provisions governing their registration and storage are appropriate. Under EU legislation, deactivated weapons are still considered weapons even if they have been rendered permanently unfit for use. Another objective is to enable the deactivation of weapons other than those covered by the EU deactivation provisions.  

The project will also examine how the performance of the National Police Board's duties related to firearms could be organised in the most appropriate manner in the future.

The project will run from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025.

Inquiries:

Mika Lehtonen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 481 850, firstname.lastname@gov.fi