Introduction

With effect from June 1, 2021, the new Weapons Act came into force at the same time as new regulations. The old Weapons Act dated from 1961, so it was probably time for an update, even though the old legislation had been amended at regular intervals.

It is important to note that the new law and regulations do not have retroactive effect, but for lending and storage with others, one will have to comply with the new regulations.

Control

Compared to the old Weapons Act, new provisions have been introduced that require the police to exercise stricter control over weapons and weapons licenses than before.

It must be assumed that the consequences of not complying with the regulations will be more severe now than in the past. This will mean, among other things, that gun licenses will be revoked more easily, weapons and ammunition will be confiscated, and individuals will lose their right to own weapons for a longer period of time, typically five years.

Loaning of weapons

Under the old Weapons Act, anyone who was authorized to possess a weapon subject to registration had the right to lend it to or store it with another person who was also authorized to possess weapons subject to registration, see Section 18 of the Weapons Act. In such cases, a loan document had to be drawn up at least once a month.

The regulations have now been changed so that the person lending the weapon must ensure that the person borrowing it has the right to possess a similar weapon. It is then sufficient to draw up a loan document once and for all, i.e. the loan is no longer time-limited.

If the weapon is to be loaned to someone who does not have the right to possess a similar weapon, the person applying to borrow the weapon must be assessed by the police in the usual manner to determine whether they are suitable to possess a weapon.

The new regulations are adapted to students and others who are absent from their registered address for long periods of time, but who are not obliged to report their change of address.

Storage of weapons

As before, weapons and weapon parts must be stored in an FG-approved gun cabinet, see the Weapons Regulations, Chapter 6. It is not necessary to store the entire weapon in such a gun cabinet, only a vital part.

Section 6-3 of the regulations specifies the maximum amount of ammunition that may be stored in the same household. It is important to remember that it is illegal to store ammunition in unoccupied cabins, houses, or similar buildings.

Storage elsewhere than at place of residence

Section 6-2 of the Weapons Regulations sets out new and more flexible rules for storing weapons in places other than the owner's residence. If a person is to live permanently in a place other than where they are registered in the population register, this may be approved. The prerequisite is that an application must be submitted to the police no later than three weeks before the move. You must then specify which weapons are involved and where the items will be stored.

It is a prerequisite that the person storing the items for another person must have a license to possess and store similar items. The person storing the items may not use them until the loan requirements have been met, i.e. when they have been approved by the police.

Conclusion

More frequent checks of shooting clubs and individuals who store weapons must be expected. It must also be assumed that the consequences of not fully complying with the rules will be more severe. In a world where criminals now have greater access to weapons than before and where weapons are more easily misused, society will want to ensure that as few weapons as possible fall into the wrong hands.