The amendment to the Weapons Act aims to give volunteers access to weapons and ammunition used by the Defense Forces and the Border Guard. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, interest in national defense has increased and many people have participated in voluntary exercises.
Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (Center) said the law change will take effect in early July and will bring more flexibility to voluntary national defense training.
"Shooting practice is an important part of training and the need for and readiness to practice has increased," Kaikkonen told Yle.
With the reform, both the Defense Forces and the Border Guard will be able to use weapons and ammunition for voluntary national defense training. Currently, firearms and ammunition are used in voluntary training for reservists ’refresher training course, but most ammunition is a priority in mandatory training.
Kaikkonen said that the change has been prepared at a record pace.
"The Department of Defense has been preparing for this change in record time as the needs of national defense require it." Kaikkonen told Yle.
However, Kaikkonen emphasized that the weapons are still being processed under the supervision of the Defense Forces and the Border Guard.
"No wild West is emerging here, but we are responding responsibly and in a controlled way to the strong and growing interest of citizens in national defense." Kaikkonen explained.
According to Kaikkonen, there have been similar activities in the past, but expanding the weapons of the Defense Forces and the Border Guard into voluntary training will enable up to 50,000 more training days than before.
Last Friday, the government granted more than three million euros in funding to national defense organizations. Most of the money has been directed to the National Defense Training Association (MPK), which organizes shooting exercises. At the time, Kaikkonen referred to an April report on Finland’s changed security environment, according to which citizens’ interest in national defense had increased as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Source: The Nordic Page