ERVA firearm license application for a rifle / Updating a rifle license with a max. 10-round magazine to an ERVA license on the basis of sports shooting.
Updated 29.03.2025
Here is a brief overview of my own instructions for applying for an ERVA firearm license and my experience in updating the max. 10-round rifle license to an ERVA license (ERityisen VAarallinen, i.e., "particularly dangerous," a rifle equipped with a magazine exceeding 10 rounds).
Many people seem to apply for their first rifle license only after the required one year of sports shooting activity for the ERVA license has been fulfilled. However, the process is exactly the same for updating an existing so-called "B-rifle" to an ERVA firearm. The only exception, after receiving the purchase license, is that you "sell" and "buy" your own rifle to yourself by marking yourself as both the seller and buyer in the license documents.
Straight to the point:
License Conditions:
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You have joined an association authorized under Section 4 of the Associations Act (e.g., reservist associations, shooting clubs).
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You have started shooting activities where the need for the rifle for which the license is being applied can be justified, and its operational features are suitable for the hobby in question (e.g., TT3 / semi-automatic rifle fits well with SRA and IPSC activities).
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You have successfully completed, for example, the SRA shooting test and been assigned a registered shooter number in the SRA shooter register, or you have completed the IPSC basic course and final test successfully.
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You have practiced sports shooting for at least 1 year.
Once the above points are met, you are eligible to apply for the ERVA firearm license for a rifle.
Application Process:
On the police's website, under firearm application forms, you will find a form titled: "Ase 07 fi Justification Form for Applying for a License Under the Firearms Act for Sports Shooting or Hobby." It's accessible with a few clicks, provided you focus a bit.
First Section: Previous Sports Shooting Hobby I listed when I joined the Reservist Association along with the membership number, the SRA shooter association and shooter number, when I successfully completed the SRA shooting test, which firearm courses I attended and when, as well as whose shooting events I participated in while practicing (dates were not included due to space constraints, but this information can be verified via the hobby certificate issued by a firearms instructor).
Second Section: Sports Shooting Hobby with the Acquired Firearm I simply filled in: "I will continue my SRA hobby using my ERVA rifle equipped with a magazine exceeding 10 rounds. Magazines exceeding 10 rounds are necessary for comprehensive SRA training and participation in competitions because one aspect of the sport is speed, which significantly affects results. Magazines exceeding 10 rounds reduce the need for magazine changes both during training and in competitive situations, thereby improving performance."
Third Section: Shooting Range / Other Area Used It suffices to know where you can practice and the basis for your right to do so. My response: "Shooting activities with the ERVA rifle for SRA will primarily occur at ranges designated by --- --- ---- Reservists Association, which are suitable for the firearm in question and accessible to the association and its members. Additionally, suitable ranges operated by various shooting clubs where I have access as a member, and ranges designated by competition organizers with access rights for competitions."
Fourth Section: Additional Justifications for Handguns and Particularly Dangerous Firearms Here, as the instructions state, you describe what, when, where, and how long you've been practicing. My entry: "I practice SRA with a long centerfire semi-automatic rifle under Section 6(2) of the Firearms Act at --- --- ---- Reservists Association's SRA exercises and weekly competitions, as well as shooting events organized by MPK. Over the past year, I have accumulated XX shooting sessions (see hobby certificate)." I also listed the ranges where I practiced. Finally: "The hobby began over a year ago (XX.XX.XXXX date) and continues actively."
Fifth Section: Additional Justifications for Firearms of Other Types Leave this section blank. You are not applying for a firearm of another type.
After that, just add the date and signature.
Attachments for the Firearm License Application:
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Passport / ID (bring a photocopy and the original to speed up the process; online PDF).
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Proof of completed military service or civilian service, e.g., military passport (bring a photocopy and the original; online PDF).
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Proof of association membership (e.g., if you practice SRA and have joined a reservist association, you can log into the Reservists Union website to print the required information showing memberships and their start dates. Paid insurance like Toimintaturva is also visible. The SRA shooter number can be printed by logging into the Reservist Sports Federation's website; online PDF).
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Certificate of active sports shooting issued by a firearms instructor.
To avoid potential additional information requests that could delay the license approval by several weeks (not legally required but helpful), I included:
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My shooting diary with photocopies of all pages. I had already accumulated 34 shooting sessions over the year with the TT3 firearm type when applying for the license; online PDF.
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A screenshot/photocopy of my firearm cabinet details showing that the cabinet is approved for storing ERVA firearms; online PDF.
Important Notes: Before submitting the application and paying for it, check the Police Board's published Appendix 1 Disqualifications (link: https://poliisi.fi/ampuma-aselupakaytantojen-yhtenaistaminen-liite-1-estevaikutukset), which lists conditions that may lead to a rejection of the firearm license application. If you are someone who "always happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time" or have otherwise behaved irresponsibly, these conditions may apply.
The application can be submitted directly at the police station by booking an appointment or online. Double-check that everything required is included in the application to avoid additional requests, which can delay approval by at least a couple of weeks. I cannot comment on whether one method is faster than the other since I have used both, and each time it has taken about 4–6 weeks.
If this is your first firearm license application, you will need to attend a separate firearm license interview with the police (this delays approval). If you are updating the max. 10-round rifle license to an ERVA firearm license, you have already attended the interview during the first application, and no new interview is required.
The firearm purchase license is valid for 12 months from the issuance date, and the firearm must be shown to the police within 30 days of purchase, whether it is a new firearm or an ERVA update to an existing rifle!
I hope these instructions are helpful to someone. We are not responsible for the practices of different police stations, as the information published here is based on personal experiences.
