The number of firearms from inheritances in Finland is rapidly increasing as the large elder population passes away, posing challenges for authorities and raising concerns about potential illegal access to these weapons.
In Finland, the rising number of firearms entering the market due to inheritances has become a pressing issue as many people born between 1945 and 1950, who hold the majority of the country's legal firearms, are passing away. With approximately 460,000 gun permit holders and nearly 1.5 million legally owned guns, the situation is prompting authorities to manage an influx of firearms that could potentially end up in the hands of criminals. This demographic shift raises alarms about the future of firearm regulation and public safety in Finland.
According to an arms dealer from Pirkanmaa, offers for firearms from inheritances come in almost daily, reflecting a substantial increase in the availability of old hunting rifles and even deemed worthless firearms. This surge indicates that as elder owners pass away, their weapons are making their way into the civilian market at a faster pace. While the details of the dealer's identity are withheld for safety reasons, it is evident that the market for these inherited firearms is expanding significantly, which poses additional risks to law enforcement and public safety.
The instability introduced by this trend is confirmed by Jari Ahonen, a firearms inspector from the Central Finland Police Department, highlighting that even old and low-value firearms are being sold more frequently. This situation compels authorities to consider stronger oversight and procurement regulations to manage the rise in firearms effectively and mitigate potential security risks that are likely to escalate in the coming years as the elder population continues to decline.
