Police inspector confirms firearm permit cancellations in Finland do not threaten public safety

The cancellation of a few thousand firearm permits does not significantly impact overall public safety, according to Police Inspector Konsta Arvelin from the National Police Board during his appearance on the Yle morning show. In Finland, there are approximately 1.5 million firearms permits, and the majority of gun owners are deemed responsible. Arvelin emphasized that these permits are essential for activities such as hunting, provided that the applicants are cleared through the licensing process.

The National Police Board previously estimated that over 6,200 firearm permits would be revoked this year, a record number. Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Procedural Law at the University of Eastern Finland, Matti Tolvanen, noted that permits can be relatively easily revoked in Finland. For instance, a single serious DUI can lead to loss of a firearm permit. Serious crimes involving firearms, or even violent crimes without guns, can result in permit cancellations as well.

Once a permit is revoked, the firearm owner has options regarding the fate of their weapon, which may include auctioning it, transferring it to someone else, or destroying it—an action frequently carried out by law enforcement.

Matti Näsi, a lecturer in criminology at the University of Helsinki, highlighted the pressing issue of illegal firearms. He stated that unlicensed weapons represent a significant challenge in the context of crime and societal threats, with easier access to firearms online exacerbating the situation.

Tolvanen also mentioned ongoing legislative efforts to address these concerns by amending criminal laws to classify illegal possession of a firearm in public spaces as a serious crime. These changes aim to deter future criminal activities, but there is uncertainty about their effectiveness. While the police do not comment on judicial punishments, Arvelin acknowledged that legislative changes could ideally encourage better public behavior, though they recognize the complexities of real-world enforcement.