Estonia eases firearms rules as parliament amends Weapons Act
Estonia's parliament has adopted amendments to the Weapons Act that simplify how firearms are acquired, stored and used. Interior Minister Igor Taro called the changes the first step in a wider overhaul of the law.
The Estonian parliament has recently passed amendments to the country's Weapons Act that streamline procedures for acquiring, owning and using firearms and cut the administrative burden on both gun owners and businesses. The government describes the move as the first step in liberalising Estonia's firearms policy.
The Weapons Act and the Explosives Act were both amended. The stated aims are to improve public safety and oversight of firearms handling, ensure the reliability of registries and data protection, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and support national defence readiness and the public's willingness to defend the country.
The minister's explanation
Estonia's interior minister, Igor Taro, said in a statement that the present situation with firearms and their use is already satisfactory, but that the laws have stayed unchanged for too long and have not kept pace with changes in the surrounding environment. In his words, the security situation is one reason modernisation of the Weapons Act has begun. He added that firearms matters have in some respects been overregulated, and that people give up on applying for a licence when they see the bureaucratic maze involved.
What changes
The amendments bring the Weapons Act into line with the European Union's Firearms Directive and clarify the definitions of firearms and ammunition. They also streamline rules on handling, storage, use and supervision of firearms and ammunition, according to the Estonian interior ministry.
Key changes include:
- a more risk-based approach to firearms storage requirements;
- a lighter administrative burden for collectors with smaller collections;
- permission for individuals to hold larger ammunition reserves to strengthen national defence readiness;
- clearer rules on using and transporting firearms and ammunition;
- a business activity notification procedure for shooting ranges and businesses selling certain types of firearms;
- modernised rules for the firearms registry;
- longer validity for firearms acquisition permits and longer deadlines for dealing with inherited firearms;
- more clearly defined discretionary powers for the Police and Border Guard Board when revoking permits.
