In Finland, legislative barriers hinder the opening of shooting ranges — YLE News
In Finland, the government's goal of increasing the number of open shooting ranges to around one thousand by the end of the decade has not yet progressed. There are currently about 670 such facilities in the country, and their number has not changed since spring 2024, when the government announced the relevant plans, YLE News reports.
Leading expert at Finland's Ministry of the Interior Mika Lehtonen explained that the construction of new shooting ranges is being constrained by current legislation. According to representatives of the shooting community, significant obstacles include slow permit procedures and requirements for studies that are difficult to foresee in advance.
Problems at existing shooting ranges
Operators of existing sites are also facing difficulties. The shooting range of the Liedon Riistamiehet association in Lieto is dealing with environmental permit requirements. Shotgun shooting is still permitted there, but the rifle range has not been operating for several years.
The permit requires compliance with a specified noise level in the direction of neighboring properties. Liedon Riistamiehet chair Saku Ruohonen said that the club is building a noise barrier embankment and has upgraded the rifle range's shooting booth to improve sound attenuation. Noise-protection structures, including ones made of steel containers, are also being installed on the site.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The association has around 140 members and would not have been able to independently finance the extensive work. Fifteen shooting ranges received funding after Parliament's Finance Committee allocated funds in December, including for defense and strengthening overall security.
Proposed changes
Three shooting ranges in the Varsinais-Suomi region — in Lieto, Loimaa and Naantali — received 50,000 euros each. In Loimaa, the funds will be used to repair protective and noise barriers and construct noise-protection canopies. In Naantali, plans call for upgrading the pistol range and carrying out safety-related work.
The Finnish government proposes amendments to the Shooting Range Act and the Environmental Protection Act. It is envisaged that a single permit or notification will cover both safety and environmental issues, while the National Police Board will be responsible for their consideration and supervision. Currently, environmental permits, the processing of notifications and oversight are mainly the responsibility of municipalities.
The key environmental issues for shooting ranges are noise and the protection of soil, groundwater and surface water. Lehtonen did not name exact timeframes for possible legislative changes, noting that the Ministry of the Interior is preparing a government bill on a tight schedule.
