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 can be filed via online services or by visiting a police station with a verbal application that the receiving clerk will enter in the police firearms information system. The applicant must always present the grounds for the application in writing.
The online services require loggign in. When visiting a police station you need to bring a passport or identity card (a driving licence is not an identification document)
When you apply for a weapon permit you must attach:
• grounds for the application in writing and other documents needed to justify the application (e.g. hunting licence)
• 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 (e.g. certificate issued by a firearms instructor)
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.
The applicant must 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 is valid for one year, for special reason two years. The weapon or weapon part must be presented at the police within 30 days if it has been acquired * from a person whose licence was granted before 1.1.2000 * from abroad * by manufacturing or modifying (the right of private manufacture). You also must present an object that has been aquired * as a new object from a firearms trader * as a gun collector and the object is particularly dangerous * and the police has asked to do so