Media

Anttila and Holmlund appeal on the possession of weapons

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Publication date 13.9.2007 11.32
Press release -

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila and Minister of the Interior Anne Holmlund have sent an appeal concerning the Directive on the control of the acquisition and possession of weapons to their colleagues in Portugal, which now holds the Presidency in the EU. The ministers consider that the acquisition and possession of weapons by young people aged 15 to 18 years should not be restricted, but the possibility for this should continue to exist for the purpose of hunting and shooting sports.

In their letter Anttila and Holmlund state that "hunting is a common hobby in Finland among the young. We have abundant game populations, especially in the north, and in the conditions where the distances are long hunting is a very natural and good hobby. This has never caused any problems in Finland. If the EU were to restrict the opportunities for hunting for the young, this would give rise to highly emotional and strong reactions in Finland against the EU as a whole."

The Ministers suggest that the restriction which has been put forward would not be realised, or that the matter would be formulated so that hunting without adult supervision and guidance would still be possible. One possibility is to apply the wording of Article 3 of the Directive, according to which the Member States may set down stricter rules concerning this.

Further information:
State Secretary Jouni Lind, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, tel. 358 (0)50 521 3305
Sirkka-Liisa Anttila