What's even more important is that gun permit applicants will no longer be required to undergo a psychological evaluation, which the Finnish authorities abolished as it was considered "inadequate."
According to Hans Snellman, the officer in charge of gun licensing at the Ostrobothnia police department in western Finland, the police have long believed that the tests did not actually serve their intended purpose.
"It's that very few applicants fail the test. People can go to a doctor and if the doctor decides that a permit can be granted, they get their permit," Hans Snellman told Finnish national broadcaster Yle.
Snellman also argued that rejections of gun permit applications were uncommon, because applicants generally know in advance whether they would meet the requirements or not.
Additionally, the number of firearms in one's possession has been limited to ten. Each firearm must be applied for individually, with an explanation provided for why the applicant needs the exact piece.
"There must be tangible reasons and need for someone to have six or seven guns in their possession and still yearn for more," Snellman said, adding that the general police recommendation was to sell weapons people no longer needed, so that they don't lie around unnecessarily.
There are approximately 300,000 people with hunting permits and 35,000 people belonging to sport shooting clubs. There are approximately 1.5 million registered small firearms in the Nordic country of 5.5 million.
At present, a Finnish firearm application costs €86 ($100), and €40 ($47) for each additional gun.
