Law stalls Finland goal of 1,000 outdoor shooting ranges

Finland has about 670 outdoor shooting ranges, far short of the government’s target of around 1,000 by the end of the decade, Yle reports. The number has not increased since the government announced its plans in spring 2024.

Current legislation is slowing the creation of new ranges. Mika Lehtonen, a senior specialist at the Ministry of the Interior, said the shooting community had identified slow permit processes and unpredictable reporting requirements as major obstacles.

Existing ranges face environmental requirements

Many existing shooting ranges are also struggling with environmental regulations. At the shooting range run by Liedon Riistamiehet, shotgun shooting is still allowed, but the rifle range has been closed for years.

The range’s environmental permit requires noise levels in the direction of nearby properties to remain below a specified limit. A noise barrier is being built, the rifle range shooting shelter has been renovated, and further noise protection is planned using steel containers.

Liedon Riistamiehet has about 140 members and could not afford the extensive construction work on its own. The club received 50,000 euros from the state this summer, allowing it to bring the range into compliance with the environmental permit and potentially reopen the rifle range.

Three ranges in Southwest Finland receive funding

The Finance Committee allocated funding last December to 15 shooting ranges as part of additional appropriations aimed partly at strengthening national defence and comprehensive security.

In Southwest Finland, shooting ranges in Lieto, Loimaa and Naantali each received 50,000 euros.

At the Loimaa Laukojat range, the money will be used to repair sunken safety and noise barriers behind the range and to build noise shelters.

At the Nikulanvuori shooting range in Naantali, the funding will go towards renovating the pistol range and improving safety. The roof of the pistol shelter has already been replaced, and the range’s barrier will also be raised.

Proposed law would combine permits

The Ministry of the Interior says Finland needs more outdoor shooting ranges for both recreational shooters and authorities that do not have access to their own ranges. The ministry says shooting should take place at ranges where the safety of shooters and bystanders, as well as environmental considerations, have been taken into account.

Police have found dozens of unauthorised shooting ranges in Finland in recent years.

The government wants to make it easier to establish new ranges while safeguarding the operation of existing ones. Proposed amendments to the Shooting Range Act and the Environmental Protection Act would combine safety and environmental considerations in the same permit or notification process. In future, one application would be sufficient.