In light of recent events, the steering group decided that the consideration of a second package of firearms legislation should get underway immediately.
Gun laws got tougher in June, and among other changes they included a raised age limit for handgun ownership. The second package of gun legislation contains matters of firearm safety and the possibility to toughen regulations for semi-automatic weapons.
The group noted that the consideration of the second package would have happened eventually in any case, but now this task will get an earlier start than planned.
Fertilizer availability raises concerns
Minister of the Interior Räsänen also said Finland will call on Poland, which currently holds the EU Presidency, to instigate tougher controls on the sale of fertilizers. Ingredients for the Oslo bomb apparently came from fertilizers. Räsänen urges particular regulation on ammonium nitrate.
She has also called for the imposition of tougher punishments for terrorist crimes.
Currently the toughest criminal sentence that can be passed by a Finnish court is a life imprisonment. In practice, this is often no longer than a sentence of 21 years. Finland has anti-terrorism legislation but no case has been brought before a court. This legislation allows for a tougher sentence to be imposed.
Meanwhile the Finnish Security Intelligence Service, which participated in the meeting, reiterated that there is no reason to fear the threat of rightwing terrorism in Finland.