In 2007 about 1,300 individuals had their gun permits recalled by the authorities, while last year the figure rose to 1,700. In 2009 so far, more than 2,000 people have had to return their firearms to police because of cancelled permits. And because permit holders often have many weapons, the final number of weapons confiscated may run into the thousands.
In the city of Vaasa, police have already impounded nearly the same number of weapons as they did last year, pointed out Detective Inspector Per-Anders Lundell of the Ostrobothnia police unit.
Police precincts across the country are following directives laid down by the Interior Ministry at the end of 2007, which aim to harmonise procedures for granting gun permits. The programme has been stepped up in recent times. The most common reasons for permit cancellations include criminal activity, connections with illegal drugs, and violence. However the police operation does not account for all of the weapons being confiscated. In some cases, guns are turned in out of a sense of civic duty.
“I’d say that most confiscations are the result of responses to domestic disturbances and family violence cases. In those instances the patrol would confiscate a weapon,” Lundell explained.
“Cases where guns are turned in out of a sense of civic duty do touch on these same matters. An increase in criminal activity, alcohol use, and matters related to the conduct of some individuals,” said Liisa Timonen, Senior Inspector with the Interior Ministry.