Finland plans to build more than 300 new shooting ranges by 2030 as part of its efforts to strengthen national defense. The government announced the initiative in February 2024, citing increased interest in defense preparedness following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Finland’s NATO membership, formalized in April 2023.
Finland currently has 670 civilian shooting ranges, significantly fewer than the 2,000 operating in the 1990s. Demand for shooting facilities has grown sharply, with training days for reservists and defense groups more than doubling since 2022.
Memberships at gun ranges have also increased substantially.
However, outdated environmental laws delayed the permitting process for new and existing ranges, creating challenges in meeting the demand.
The Finnish government is working to streamline these processes to expand access. The Finland’s Defense Committee chair emphasized that shooting is a “basic skill” essential for national defense and should be as accessible as popular sports like football or hockey.
In addition to expanding shooting ranges, Finland maintained and updated its civil defense infrastructure, including 50,000 Cold War-era shelters capable of protecting 85% of its population. These shelters are being modernized to address current security threats.
Finland also intensified border security measures along its 830-mile border with Russia. In late 2023, the government closed border crossings, accusing Moscow of sending asylum-seekers as retaliation for Finland’s NATO membership.
The Kremlin denied these allegations.
