Serious firearm offences more than doubled – police: crime has escalated
Serious firearm offences have increased dramatically in Finland: more than 300 cases by the end of August, compared with 120 for the entire previous year.
Firearm offences multiplied – police inspector warns of escalating crime
The number of serious firearm offences reported to police has risen sharply in Finland, according to ess.fi citing information from Uutissuomalainen. According to Police Board statistics, more than 300 cases were recorded this year by the end of August – compared with 120 for the entire previous year.
Police Inspector Tuomas Pöyhönen of the Police Board describes the reasons for the change in blunt terms.
"Violent and drug offences have become increasingly serious, and firearms are involved in them. Criminals carry firearms with them and are prepared for the threat they pose," Pöyhönen says.
New firearm legislation that came into force at the beginning of the year has significantly increased penalties. For a serious firearm offence, a sentence of at least two years' imprisonment is now imposed, which is as a rule unconditional.
The reform also broadened the scope of application of the serious offence category: possession of a firearm in a public place or in a vehicle without a permit is now sufficient to meet the definition of a serious offence. The aim of the legislation is to reduce firearm offences and crimes committed with firearms.
Source: Google News FI — Crime (fi)