Finland gun owners?

[Ignition Override]

CapnMac: As for Finland later joining the EU and (then) facing the pressure to conform to possibly tighter EU gun restrictions--

- don't forget about the Czech Republic. Even some other EU countries allow ownership and use of semi-auto rifles (only at gun clubs), but the Czechs allow thousands of citizens to acquire the Concealed Carry permit.
Nobody ever said that it was simple, like in most of the US.

But whether the Czech govt loses some sort of EU trade benefits because of telling the Brussels Eurokrats to "Stuff It" regarding gun laws, I've never read of any such trade-off.

These friends do tactical shooting in Slovenia (both handgun and rifle), which might not be a formal member of the EU. As I've prev. stated they have flown a few times to Shot Show in Vegas.
Sometimes people from neighboring countries visit the Czech Republic or Slovenia in order to be guests and experience different types of shooting.
Germany and Austria along with most Euro countries don't seem to allow any tactical ranges. Manca's "G3" is an original German civilian HK-91 (a "G3" in semi-auto only) and her VZ-58 is the same type imported here as a complete rifle into Knoxville TN with threaded muzzles and bayo lugs.

PS: those nice folks in Slovenia at "Palomar Tactical" have felt a need to clarify on their website words, at least in the past, similar to this: " We are not terrorists, criminals etc. We just have fun". What a real shame.
There must not be many tactical ranges in other countries for typical civilian gun owners.

Vz58 vs H&K G3 with Manca

Manca runs her Vz58 against a mighty G3 rifle. Surprisingly the G3 recoil doesn't cause much trouble :)Can you help us make better videos?Please go to http:/...

www.youtube.com

 

[GEM]

A few comments.

The Norwegians were overcome very quickly. Their government refused to mobilize and was confused when the invasion progressed.

Finland was brave but lost twice. In the first round, after the surrender they actually lost more territory and concessions than the Soviets demanded before the invasion. I think they are truly seeing the threat and scaling up now.

Sweden was never invaded. While it did increase its armed forces, it also cooperated with Germany until it was clear Germany was losing. Materials, iron ore, transport permissions, all given to the Germans. They were ready to fight but the Germans didn't see the need. The Swedes got a fair amount of trade that they needed from Germany also.

Switzerland is also brought forth on gun forums as deterring the Nazis with their civilian militias. That is true that this was a deterrent and they had excellent defense plans. However, there were a fair number of Nazi sympathizers in their armed forces that had to be purged. Next, they cooperated with trade and materials with Germany and got some in return. Significantly, they mined the major tunnels through the Alps that the Germans needed for the war. It was a combo of these and not just the rifles that protected them. The Germans had plans for invasion and thought they could pull it off but it would be an unneeded distraction. After a successful war, they had plans to add the German areas of Switzerland to the Reich.

The Swedes used to have a large airforce (as did many European countries), with hundreds of quality jets. Now they have 90. IMHO, the European air forces were cut too dramatically after the fall of the USSR and they still don't have plans to raise levels to Cold War levels. Same with their armor. It will take years for them to get up to speed. If Ukraine folds (as desired by both Trump and Biden), they will cease their armament programs (except maybe for Poland) and go back to business as usual with Russia for the bucks.

They say they will rearm but many doubt it.

 

[Riomouse911]

And …Finland has been a part of the EU since the 1990’s. They use the Euro currency, etc. I was there in 2022, Helsinki is beautiful in the summertime!

Sweden is also in the EU, but still uses their own Swedish Kronor currency. I also went to Sweden in 2022, Stockholm was nice but I preferred Helsinki.

Kronor from my travels book.



Stay safe.

 

[InTheSwamp]

I recall not a lot were into guns nor understood the need for one

Uni vs. Multi.

 

[MikeInOr]

"Along with neighboring Sweden, Finland applied to join NATO on 18 May 2022. Following ratification, Finland became a member of NATO on 4 April 2023. Finland has a 1,340-kilometre (830 mi) border with Russia, which upon accession more than doubled NATO's pre-existing border with Russia."

I believe the Finish were aligned with the Nazi's in WWII. I believe they invaded Russia during operation Barbarossa and many German troupes were positioned in Finland.

I would be sweating my border with Russia if I were them too! I am not calling the Finish Nazi's. I believe they were just precariously stuck between two very evil powers.

 

[GEM]

The Finns were invaded first when the USSR and Nazi German were pals - as in the invasion of Poland. They joined the Nazis to recover their land but wouldn't go beyond that, for example attacking Leningrad. They were really screwed anyway they turned.

BTW, the Swedes had plans to invade Denmark to help rid them of the Nazis and prevent the Soviets from taking Denmark. However, the Germans folded and the Allies blocked the Soviets before they did that.

Given that the USA (depending on the election - oh, politics) might abandon Europe, they better get their act together. Time to up the nuclear arsenals. The UK was unpleasantly surprised when during recent testing, one of their nuclear missile subs fired duds. OOPS!