Changes to the Firearms Act – consultation round begins

The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a proposal to amend the Firearms Act. The draft proposal takes into account the need for amendments that has emerged in the application of the act following the reforms introduced to implement the most recent amendment to the EU Firearms Directive. The consultation round closes on 30 January 2026.

Regulation of deactivated firearms to be updated

The proposal includes changes to the regulation of deactivated firearms, that is, firearms rendered irreversibly inoperable. According to the draft proposal, deactivated firearms and firearms rendered irreversibly inoperable or parts thereof could be stored in a space that is customarily kept locked when not occupied, such as a residence, a storage facility or retail premises. In future, the deactivation of, for example, pieces of artillery would also be possible. The draft also proposes that a police department could approve the storage location of, for instance, Second World War-era cannons on a case-by-case basis.

Cartridges could be stored in a secure cabinet with firearms

According to the draft proposal, cartridges and particularly dangerous projectiles could be stored together with firearms in a burglar-proof secure cabinet. This is considered a safer option than storing firearms in the secure cabinet and cartridges in another locked cabinet with a lower security standard.

Other changes

The obligation of firearms businesses to submit notices to the firearms database would be clarified and changed to a record-keeping obligation regarding loading devices and silencers.

The proposal calls for harmonisation of the provisions concerning the revocation of licences and approvals under the Firearms Act. The regulation of antique weapons would be relaxed. Remote stun devices powered by explosive pressure would fall outside the scope of the Firearms Act. In addition, some other changes would be made, for example to remedy deficiencies in the implementation of the Firearms Directive.

The amendment to the Firearms Act is intended to enter into force no later than 30 June 2026.

Inquiries:
Mika Lehtonen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 331, [email protected]