Finnish police uncover dozens of unlicensed shooting ranges

Finnish police have identified around 80 shooting ranges operating without proper permits or with incomplete documentation, according to a nationwide inspection project, Yle reports.

The National Police Board’s inspection project (2023–2025) found that many ranges lacked valid licenses or had failed to submit legally required notifications for low-volume ranges. Chief Inspector Jukka Hertell confirmed that most issues stemmed from outdated permits, changes in ownership, or expansions of range activities without updated approvals.

A significant number of unlicensed ranges are located in northern and eastern Finland, where shooting ranges are more common. Hertell noted that while no major safety risks were found, police plan to implement more systematic oversight in the future.

The government aims to increase the number of shooting ranges to 1,000 by the end of the decade and streamline the permitting process through legislative reforms. However, Hertell expressed concern over a proposed law that would transfer environmental permitting authority from municipalities to the police, calling it impractical.

Most violations were resolved after police intervention, though a few ranges faced temporary restrictions. Hertell emphasized that private landowners shooting on their own property pose a greater safety risk than regulated ranges.

Finland currently has approximately 680 civilian-operated shooting ranges, though the exact number remains unclear. The oldest ranges date back over a century, with many built before modern environmental regulations.