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| Tougher Gun Permit Procedures Outlined |
| Published 29.09.2008, 18.32 (updated 29.09.2008, 19.27) |
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Image:
YLE
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In
the wake of last week's Kauhajoki shootings, the government and law
enforcement officials are planning stricter gun laws. On Monday, the
Interior Ministry issued new guidelines to police on granting gun
permits.
According to the new policy, handgun permits will no longer be granted to first-time gun buyers.
Anyone
learning to use a handgun will be required to do so under the guidance
of a gun club at first. Would-be handgun owners will be allowed to
apply for a permit after a year of active training.
Each
applicant will also be required to hand to police a mental health
evaluation by a doctor, certifying that the permit-seeker does not have
any mental illness or problems that might pose danger to him or herself
or others.
All first-time applicants must be interviewed by police, with at least two officers present.
The new rules cover pistols and revolvers of all sizes.
Holmlund: More Access to Health Data
On Monday, Interior Minister Anne Holmlund set up a panel to prepare a reform of gun laws.
One of the changes she is seeking would allow police more access to gun permit applicants' health records.
Holmlund
said that authorities should be allowed to see applicants' health data
from the Social Insurance Institution (Kela) and the Finnish Defence
Forces, for instance.
Holmlund has also asked the committee to
look into whether certain types of weapons could be banned altogether.
She notes that this is a difficult task, since new kinds of arms are
being developed all the time.
Overhauling the nation's gun laws
is expected to take more than two years altogether. However Holmlund
wants the first phase of reforms rushed through so that the government
can submit it to Parliament next spring.
Also on Monday, in a
sign of a new, stricter line on guns, Tampere police confiscated a gun
from a student who had reportedly been bragging about having it. The
student's gun permit was revoked.
YLE
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