Greenland Gun Law Overview
The regulatory environment surrounding the acquisition and possession of firearms in Greenland is characterized by a combination of flexibility and restrictions. The country’s gun laws are largely based on its status as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and are further shaped by the need to balance public safety with one of the the country’s most cherished pastimes: hunting.
One of the most important concepts that governs gun laws in Greenland is the principle of need. In practical terms, this means that civilians may not own firearms for self-defense, primarily because the hunting and shooting community has endeavored to keep these regulations free of what some contend is the divisive gun politics of the United States . In the North Atlantic territory, gun laws are focused on the love of hunting and shooting sports rather than being designed to limit civilian access to guns.
Related to the principle of need is the "practicality test," which focuses on whether a prospective gun owner has a verifiable use or purpose for owning a firearm or not. Thus, government officials conduct a high degree of background checks to determine why the applicant in question is attempting to acquire a gun. In addition, gun owners are kept on record and must demonstrate that their weapons are being used according to the intended purpose.
Although gun ownership is coveted in Greenland, the ability to acquire and possess a firearm isn’t universal. Rather, principles such as need, safety, and practicality govern the regulatory framework that underpins this right.
Licenses, ID and Permits
The ownership of firearms in Greenland is heavily regulated, and potential owners must navigate a careful application process to ensure compliance with the law. At the forefront of these regulations are licensing and permit requirements, which serve to safeguard the security of the people of Greenland.
Individuals who wish to own a firearm in Greenland must apply for a firearm ownership certificate (våbentilladelse). This document is not an outright permit to own a firearm; rather, it is an approval to purchase one. Once the firearm is acquired, however, the owner must keep it in a well-secured place and use it only for the purposes specified in the ownership certificate. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the certificate and the potential confiscation of the firearm.
Before applying for a firearm ownership certificate, prospective owners must meet several eligibility criteria. Of primary concern to the authorities is the applicant’s mental and emotional well-being. In this respect, individuals who have previously suffered from certain psychological or psychiatric conditions, who exhibit violent tendencies, or who have a history of criminal behaviour may be deemed unsuitable for firearm ownership. The application process includes an examination by a qualified medical professional, who evaluates the applicant’s physical and mental health before issuing a statement in favour of their suitability.
The application also requires proof of the applicant’s aptitude for handling a firearm. This entails passing a shooting test at a designated shooting range and completing either hunter or marksman training if the firearm is intended for sporting or hunting purposes. For those seeking a firearm for collector purposes, specific permits differ depending on the type of firearm and its use.
For airguns, a separate airgun tourist permit may be required. The airgun tourist permit allows for the temporary ownership of an airgun and is issued primarily for visitors. However, it is generally applicable only for shotguns that are appropriate for pest control. The tourist permit is valid for three months, following which the airgun must be returned to the territory of issue.
The application for a firearm ownership certificate must be approved by the National Police Service of Greenland. Upon approval, applicants receive an ownership certificate, which is valid for five years. Firearm ownership certificates are restricted to one for each approved type of firearm.
Firearm owners must apply to renew their certificates every five years. Once owned, firearms must be secured at all times, in locked cabinets or other secure locations, to minimize the risk of misuse and injury to others. As such, lawmakers are reluctant to issue certificates for stun guns.
Licenses for handguns fall under a distinct category. Target shooting is commonplace in Greenland, and citizens have the option to purchase a "Nordic Ball" license for handguns. This type of license is granted to target shooters only. Since 2013, all handguns imported into Greenland must be of type GP11, meaning no revolvers are permitted.
Licenses for rifles have a stricter set of criteria. Rifles purchased for hunting purposes must be registered, and the purchaser must pass a marksmanship test. Shotgun licenses are categorized under shotgun tourist permits. The requirement for a touristic shotgun passport is waived for citizens and citizens returning home.
Arming oneself is a serious undertaking that requires great responsibility. As a territory deeply in touch with its cultural heritage, Greenland has set high standards to ensure safety and accountability in the use and ownership of firearms.
Classifications of Firearms
Greenland’s laws are only concerned with firearms that are defined as "weapons". This means that any personal weapons (i.e., knives, swords, etc.) fall outside the scope of the law. Guns ordered by mail from an international firearms dealer are certifiably a weapon and can mean a long stay in a Danish prison if transport and importation processes are not followed correctly. Only weapons such as revolvers, hand guns, rifles, shotguns and related ammunition manufactured for civilian use are legal. Ammunition must also be properly secured during transport. Magazines and clips must also be separate from the gun when being carried.
In Greenland, the number of rifles and shotguns permitted are dependent upon the average distance one has to travel to hunt or trap. A maximum of two revolvers, for personal protection, may be obtained in all situations. Hand guns, other than revolvers, including rifles and shotguns, can only be obtained under a single license and any additional hand guns, shotguns, hunting rifles with a scope and hand guns can only be applied for after a period of three years has elapsed.
Muffler guns are not allowed. All guns must be registered with the Danish police and require a valid class 7 permit. The costs of permits and registration as well as maintenance of the gun can run around $2,000. All guns must be stored away and locked up even while at home, and all ammunition must be stored separately, also locked away. Many of the rules are similar to those already enacted in Denmark.
Greenland Hunting Regulations
One of the major hurdles you have to jump before you can take a hunting trip to Greenland is figuring out what types of firearms you are allowed to bring along with you. Essentially, it all comes down to licensing. In order for you to bring your rifle or shotgun, or even buy a rifle or shotgun in Greenland, you must be licensed in your home country.
It is also important to note that the National Rifle Association does not recognize the gun laws in foreign countries, including Greenland, as being valid. This means that, to ensure that you are granted approval to own a firearm in Greenland, you always need to have any pertinent restrictions to U.S. citizens, such as the Gun Control Act of 1968 and all subsequent amendments to the act by the congress, federal courts, and other organizations factored in.
Fortunately, the regulations for hunters in Greenland have actually become a lot less strict as of late. At one time, you were required to obtain a hunting license from the Danish government that you would then present to the Greenland government. You also had to apply to the Greenland government for a one year shotgun or rifle use approval. As the hunting craze in Greenland began to pick up speed, so did the regulations on this type of approval. The imaginary line between sport hunters and commercial hunters was becoming harder to distinguish, so the government tightened the rules.
As of now, sport hunters in Greenland are able to get the permits they need directly from an authorized tourism operators. You still have to get a firearm permit from the state, but you will get that after you arrive in Greenland. Keep in mind that many companies want you to submit a copy of your U.S. import permit for firearms when you request a hunting license, but this is not always possible. When applying for a license to import firearms to Greenland, you can return your request with a comment explaining why;. If you have a firearms export permit from your country, that might be a good way to show why you cannot submit a U.S. import permit.
There are no restrictions in terms of caliber or gauge, but you should take care to ensure that you have weapons that utilize non-toxic ammunition. As you obviously know well, you can buy non-toxic shells in virtually any country. You should also check with your airline to make sure you can carry your ammunition with you on the plane. If you don’t want to jump through those hoops, many operators in Greenland can help you arrange to have shells brought to you.
When infrastructure in Greenland was still quite sparse, they had time constraints in place for hunters. These include that no one may hunt from April 20 through August 5, except in the Uummannaq and Umiarsuaq districts. However, these days, that’s just not the case. Late summer hunting has become so popular, since it affords great opportunities to take seal and seal pups. It also allows wild life to be hunted without the added hassle of snowmobiles. These changes have made Nuuk the national capital of hunters in Greenland.
Firearm Storage and Carrying regulations
In Greenland, the safe storage and secure transportation of firearms to and from a place of handling or school of instruction are governed by specific provisions under the Act. Ultimately though, all firearms should be kept in a manner that protects the firearm from theft, loss and unauthorized access.
Private Possession
The only provisions for safe storage of firearms by private citizens are found in s. 62 of the Act. These safe storage provisions require that storage be done in a manner so as to protect persons without criminal intent against injury or death; and in a manner so as to protect the firearm from loss or theft.
Possession for Carrying
Section 66 of the Act imposes additional safe storage and safe transportation provisions on firearms other than non-restricted firearms. These provisions apply to firearms not having a muzzle velocity greater than 500 mps and a muzzle energy greater than 2.5 joules; and, devices designed exclusively for use in the course of target practice at a recognized target range.
Private Ownership
Ownership of a restricted weapon in Greenland requires a registration certificate . Section 61 of the Act sets out mandatory storage provisions when charged by a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) member (former member of the RCMP) with taking your registered weapon into your home. The RCMP member will demand evidence that safe storage has been achieved by personal inspection of the weapon within 30 days prior to the date of the demand.
Refusal to allow inspection may qualify as an offence at law under s. 112 of the Act.
Safe storage by the owner is required by s. 62 of the Act. Safe storage is achieved by ensuring that a person without criminal intent is not unduly at risk of injury or death; and that the firearm cannot be stolen or lost. Possession by individuals who are barred from obtaining an Authorization to Transport is prohibited.
Transportation
Section 67 of the Act requires that the owner ensure safe transportation. To be safe and lawful under s. 67, all firearms must be unloaded, and secured in such a way that they cannot be fired inadvertently or discharged. Secured refers to firearms being enclosed in a case; locked in a room or trunk of a motor vehicle; or attached by a locking device to a non-detachable part of a motor vehicle. Section 67 applies to all firearms including non restricted firearms.
Criminal Penalties and Enforcement
As is the case with most legislation, there are a wide range of penalties associated with violations of licensing and registration requirements in Greenland. Generally, the first violation will subject the offender to civil liability, but additional violations may lead to criminal prosecution. The penalties for civil and criminal violations depend on the nature of violation and the severity of the offense. In addition to civil or criminal liability, any person who violates the licensing provisions of Greenland law is subject to mandatory seizure of the non-compliant firearms. Essentially, any firearms or ammunition possessed in violation of Greenland law are subject to surrender to law enforcement officials. If a person is found to be in possession of a firearm that he/she made no effort to register with the government, the firearm may be subject to forfeiture. In addition to administrative seizure of non-compliant firearms, a private citizen may petition a court for seizure of any firearms he/she believes to be unlawfully possessed by another. If that application is granted by the court, the prohibited firearm(s) will be seized by law enforcement for possible forfeiture. Generally, if a firearm owner is investigated for an alleged violation of the gun laws in Greenland, the investigation will not result in an arrest unless there is clear evidence of a crime having been committed. The penalties for violations of Greenland’s gun laws are governed by Greenland’s Criminal Code. Under Greenland law, any person who engages in conduct defined as a crime may face a fine, imprisonment, or both. The government may weigh aggravating factors when determining the appropriate penalty, including the offender’s prior criminal history, knowledge of the record keeping requirements, and whether the record keeping deficiencies were negligent or intentional. Violations of Greenland’s gun laws can lead to civil liability for the offender and will most often result in forfeiture of any unlawfully possessed firearms. Penalties may include mandatory seizure of non-compliant firearms, administrative hearings, civil liabilities, fines, and imprisonment. More detailed information about violations of Greenland’s gun laws can be found in the Greenland Penal Code.
A Brief History of Gun Regulation in Greenland
The history of gun law in Greenland is relatively recent as hunting has always played an important role in the way of life for the indigenous Inuit people for thousands of years. The right to hunt, using a rifle, is still a widely practiced tradition in Greenland and hunters have to complete a basic course and obtain a license before becoming trusted enough to purchase weapons and ammunition. Until recently there was very little correspondence between Greenland and Denmark on the matter of who could use guns. It wasn’t until 2001 that the Danish government verified that the Danish Gun Registry included firearm owners from Greenland and the autonomous territory of the Faroe Islands. In 2007 the Faroes followed Denmark’s example by introducing a form of gun permit and licensing. However, Greenland’s 2008 weapon act originally came into force in an even more relaxed manner. Under the former 2008 Act , gun owners were not required to register their weapons and the licensing system was very much self-regulated by the Greenlandic Police. Furthermore, users with an old permit to buy and keep weapons were exempt from applying for a license. In May 2018 the Government of Greenland initiated an expert review into the act with consideration being given to firearms control in the territory in general. This was to include the need for a completely new law including regulations on the syndication of privately owned weapons, and a requirement to register all weapons and ammunition with the Greenlandic Police. The act was then repealed in June of 2018 and was reintroduced as the 2018 Weapon Act in March 2019 to deal with the "extreme profitability" of illicit arms trading on the black market. Subsequently any person who purchases or uses a weapon without obtaining a personal weapon permit, will face a term of imprisonment of up to two years. Furthermore, all weapons and ammunition must be registered with the Greenlandic Police.