Storage of Firearms and Ammunition
Updated 31 January 2026
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the proper storage and transportation of firearms and ammunition, supported by short practical examples.
Correct storage and transport of firearms and ammunition are among the key elements of firearms safety, as regulated in the Finnish Firearms Act (1/1998). The foundation for all of this lies in Section 105 of the Firearms Act, which defines the duty of care.
Section 105 – Duty of Care
The holder of a firearm, firearm component, ammunition, or particularly dangerous ammunition is obliged to take such care of them that there is no risk of them falling into unauthorized hands.
For firearms, firearm components, and ammunition held by a person under 18 years of age on the basis of a parallel permit, the primary permit holder is responsible for ensuring proper storage.
The following section of the Firearms Act defines the approved storage locations for firearms and ammunition.
Section 106 – Storage
When a firearm, firearm component, ammunition, or particularly dangerous ammunition is stored other than temporarily, it must be stored:
1) In the permit holder’s permanent residence, another place where they permanently reside, or a space directly connected to these that provides equivalent security and supervision
An acceptable location means the permit holder’s dwelling or a directly connected space such as a garage or storage room, provided it offers equivalent security and supervision.
- An acceptable location also includes a secondary residence, provided it is used in a manner comparable to a permanent home.
- Separate outbuildings such as detached garages, yard storage buildings, apartment building storage units, attic or basement storage rooms are NOT acceptable storage locations.
- Likewise, an unoccupied or unused summer cottage is NOT an acceptable storage location.
2) At the residence or premises described in point 1, belonging to another person who is legally entitled to borrow the firearm
You may store your firearms, for example, at a friend’s home if your friend holds valid firearm permits that entitle them to borrow the types of firearms you store, and the storage location meets the requirements of point 1.
- For example, you may store your shotgun at a friend’s home if they hold a valid permit for a shotgun, rifle, or combination gun.
3) In the possession of a licensed firearms business as defined in Section 14(1) or 14(2)
- Some commercial shooting ranges or gun shops offer storage services for customers’ firearms, for which they hold a separate storage permit.
4) In storage facilities approved by the police
- If you wish to build a dedicated gun room for firearms that would otherwise require a certified gun safe, you may request a paid inspection from the police to approve the room for firearm storage.
(This article does not address the construction requirements, limitations, or regulations of gun rooms, as that is a separate and extensive topic.)
If a firearm is stored in a location described in points 1 or 2, it must be kept in a burglar-resistant and locked gun safe, a locked space, or otherwise locked in such a way that the firearm or firearm component cannot be easily stolen or taken into unauthorized use.
A firearm may also be stored by locking a critical component—other than a suppressor—separately as described above, and storing the remaining parts so that they cannot be easily stolen or misused.
- You may therefore store up to five non‑ERVA firearms at home or at a friend’s home in a locked but non‑certified cabinet, or store essential components in such a cabinet, provided the firearm or its components cannot be easily accessed or taken without authorization.
If ammunition or particularly dangerous ammunition is not stored in a certified gun safe, it must be stored separately from firearms in such a way that there is no risk of unauthorized access.
- If you do not have a certified gun safe (EN 14450 S1, EN 14450 S2, EN 1143‑1 grade 0 or higher, the discontinued SS 3492, or the current Swedish national standard SSF 3492), ammunition must be stored in a separate locked cabinet, separate from the firearms.
If the stored items include a particularly dangerous firearm, more than five firearms, or components for assembling more than five firearms, they must be stored in a burglar‑resistant and locked certified gun safe.
A gun safe is not required if the police have approved the storage facilities.
- In short: if you have even one ERVA firearm or more than five ordinary firearms, you need a certified gun safe meeting one of the following standards: EN 14450 S1, EN 14450 S2, EN 1143‑1 grade 0 or higher, the discontinued SS 3492, or the Swedish SSF 3492.
- If the certified safe weighs less than 150 kg, it must be bolted to the wall or floor from the inside.
- If you are an advanced enthusiast and have built a police‑approved gun room, you do not need a separate certified gun safe for those firearms.
All information above is based on the updated Firearms Act 1/1998, Ministry of the Interior, and the Finnish Police.
