On 11 October, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament on amendments to the Firearms Act, the Act on Voluntary National Defence and the Conscription Act. The proposal will implement the changes required by the EU Firearms Directive in Finnish legislation.

The changes required by the EU Firearms Directive are being implemented in Member States. In Finland, the Directive causes changes particularly to the Firearms Act. The draft government proposal for implementing the Firearms Directive was circulated widely for comments on 4 May. The basis of the proposal is to prevent specially dangerous firearms and their components from falling into the wrong hands without, however, creating any undue difficulties for reservists – whose activities are unique by European standards – and target shooters and collectors in Finland.

Finland has made progress in the national implementation of the EU Firearms Directive. The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence have worked closely with stakeholders to find solutions on how to implement the Directive at national level. Last year, three different thematic discussion sessions were organised for stakeholders. The Ministries have also held separate meetings with them.