- The most important part is the safety of storing weapons. And I can hear that everyone agrees on that part, and I am happy about it from Naalakkersuisut's side.
This was said by Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture and Self-Sustainability, Peter Borg (D), from the rostrum in Inatsisartut, when politicians on Wednesday 2nd considered the long-awaited changes to the Weapons Act, which are left over from 1992.
Inatsisartut considered the bill for the first time at the 2025 autumn session. Since then, it has been under consideration in the Law Committee.
Both at the first reading and in the report from the committee, the parties expressed concern about a certain part of the new law. Namely the age limit for who is allowed to carry weapons.
The amendment states that from now on, you must be 15 years old to own and use firearms. However, it will be possible for children from 12 years old to use weapons on hunting in the company of a responsible adult.
Despite concerns that this could harm Greenlandic culture and traditions, the committee recommended the bill for adoption.
Will young people become criminals?
The new Weapons Act also includes other changes, which include that firearms must be stored more securely, so that weapons and ammunition are kept separately and are less accessible to children and outsiders. However, there was agreement that it is important that there is security in storage.
The second reading therefore also dealt with the new age limit. The opposition consisting of Siumut and Naleraq was particularly concerned.
On the podium, Erik Jensen (S) criticized that the age limit could make young Greenlanders criminals if they went hunting without being old enough.
But it shouldn't be like that, said Peter Borg.
- During the first reading, there were many concerns that were included in the committee's consideration, and I have directed my attention to that which includes our families, traditions and culture. We have heard your concerns.
- There are some obstacles around this in certain parts of the current legislation, and I will investigate what I can do to make changes and adjustments so that it fits our culture and traditions when our children have their first catch, said Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Hunting, Agriculture and Self-Sustainability.
He clarified that it will not be illegal for children under 12 to be handed dangerous firearms if they are accompanied by an adult.
To be passed in the Folketing
After the parties that wanted to say something had the opportunity, the bill was put to a vote in Inatsisartut.
18 voted in favor, while seven abstained. If you look at the distribution of votes, the coalition consisting of Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqtigiit and Atassut voted in favor, while Siumut and Naleraq abstained.
This means that the largest update of the weapons law for Greenland has now been adopted in the Inatsisartut. The current weapons law dates from 1992.
But there is still some way to go. Weapons in Greenland are not a home-grown area, and legislation therefore falls under the state. Therefore, the amendment to the law must now be submitted and adopted in the Folketing.
The new weapons law has been made in close cooperation between the Naalakkersuisut and the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice presented the first proposal for the changes back in 2019. It was put to a hearing in the summer of 2024. It has now been adopted in the Inatsisartut.
