Finland’s EU firearms directive
The Finnish government now wants to keep guns out of hands of kids
The Finnish government decided on Friday to propose a change in the law on firearms, restricting the acquisition of guns by those under the age of 18. Until now guns have been available to children 15 and abovewith a parent’s permission.
The decision came on Friday when the government’s ministerial committee on European Union affairs discussed the upcoming EU firearms directive. The aim of the directive is to restrict access to guns by those below the legal age.
It may take about two years before the new law comes into effect. After that, those under 18 will still be allowed to hunt and shoot for target practice, but only under adult supervision.
Until Friday the government had opposed tighter age restrictions.
The reason for the reluctance was that there are many underage hunters in Finland - something which was seen as a “special national characteristic”. Hunting is especially popular in rural areas, which are strongholds of support for the current main government party, the Centre Party.
There were denials from government ranks that the change had been prompted by the Jokela killings. Ilkka Salmi, special aide to Minister of the Interior Anne Holmlund (Nat. Coalition Party), notes that the proposed changes would not have applied to perpetrator in the shooting, Pekka-Eric Auvinen, who was 18 years old and had a permit for his weapon.
Criticising the decision was Rauno Kurko, Chairman of Finland’s National Rifle Association. According to Kurko, who accused the government of pandering. In his view, weapons are not the problem, but rather the neglect of mental health work.
Source: Helsingin Sanomat