Firearm permit
- Permit or other obligation
- Nationwide
- Public service
The police grants licences and permits for the acquisition and possession of firearms and weapon parts. A permit to acquire and possess a firearm and a gas spray can be granted also to an entity or foundation that is registered in Finland or performs a public task.
Do the following
Permit applications referred to in the Firearms Act are, with a few exceptions, filed with a verbal application that the receiving clerk will enter in the police firearms information system. The applicant must however always present the grounds for the application in writing.
When you apply for a weapon permit you must have with you:
• passport or identity card (a driving licence is not an identification document)
• grounds for the application in writing and other documents needed to justify the application
• military passport, civilian service certificate, conscription certificate or a certificate showing that you are exempt from military service
• other certificates in accordance with the intended use of the weapon
More information about the applications referred to in the Firearms Act such as parallel licences, entity licences, weapon handling licences, duplicated applications, private import or transfer licences or European Firearms Pass can be found on the website of the police.
To whom and on what terms
There must be an acceptable intended purpose for the acquisition and possession of a firearm or weapon part. The applicant must also fulfil the prerequisites regarding the holder of an acquisition permit.
With the exception of a private import licence, consent, prior consent and consent to a private transfer the permit applications referred to in the Firearms Act can be filed with a verbal application. The applicant must however always present the grounds for the application in writing. Forms that be used to present the grounds for different purposes can be found on the website of the police.
A firearm permit can be granted only to a person who has reached the age of 18 and who is on the basis of his or her health and behaviour fit to possess a weapon and a weapon part. For example, applicants with a criminal record or substance abuse issues may be refused.
A firearms permit for a pistol, small pistol, revolver or small revolver or their part can be granted only to a person who has reached the age of 20.
Period of validity
The right of acquisition connected to a weapon licence is mainly valid for one year and for special reason a maximum of two years. The acquired weapon or weapon part must be presented at the police department within 30 days of the acquisition of the weapon or weapon part but in any case before the validity of the acquisition permit expires. The right to possess connected to the weapon licence can be valid either a definitive period or an indefinite period.