COLLECTING ARMS

Collecting arms is not a well known hobby for the layman because understanding it requires expertise in the whole field of arms hobbies. Arms collectors have to have special permission from the Ministry of the Interior to collect arms. The hobby is carefully controlled and is usually quite expensive for the collectors who are usually ordinary people. Arms collectors rarely inform others about their hobby because of the negative connotations collecting brings about for certain people. One of the goals of the NRA is to rectify the false images pertaining to collecting arms.

An arms collector is supposed to have a blemish free criminal history. The collector is also observed by officials during collecting and has to describe the main characteristics of the planned collection. Storing of the arms is usually regulated by law and therefore the collector has to make his storage facilities available for periodic inspections. The documented level of safety is determined case-by-case based upon the type, amount, location and implementation of storage. The collector should maintain a straightforward dialogue with the appropriate local officials for his case and with the arms management unit of the Ministry of the Interior. The NRA wants to support the collector’s relationship with officials because collectors are not necessarily adept in legal matters or skilled communicators. An individual collection plan may include pieces which are generally considered to be dangerous in the hands of unqualified people. The collector has to be able to demonstrate not only the legality of his planned collection but the relevance from a collector’s point of view. The local official does not necessarily see the collection in the same way as the collector but rather in relation to the safety of the collection and make sure they are only in possession of authorized collectors. An educated collector should understand this and appropriately so that his collection will not become a risk. If the collection can be seen as a risk because of improper storage or due to the lifestyle or health status of the collector an official can legally invalidate the permits for the collection.

In Finland the tradition of arms collection differs slightly from other countries in that it concentrates on collecting arms used in Finnish wars. This is because Finns value the sacrifices made in those wars. Naturally there are other types of collections in Finland and popular collecting themes are, for example, collecting certain brands, by certain functionality, by type of arms or by special technical solutions. In a small collector population the value of different types of collections is not always understood and no one can say that one way of collecting is superior to another. However, one thing that all can agree on is the condition of the collection. A collector should not accept an item in bad condition if one in better condition is available except in the case when a specific item has its own special history (e.g. the first shotgun of a president made by the village blacksmith). In addition, one should not accept such repaired items which stray away from the original purpose of the weapon. Especially in the case of arms for sale repairing and falsifying should not be confused. In Finland arms falsifying is not condemned harshly enough. If the arms are repaired the next owner should be informed. The NRA tries to offer help by providing it’s expertise in problem cases related to this type of situation. Cheating is illegal when it comes to arts, antiques arms or any field where large amounts of money are involved and expertise is needed. The value for collecting often differs greatly from the value for usage. It is more difficult to determine whether or not an arm has value as a collectable. The collection value of an arm is determined, for example, by its condition, rarity, aesthetics, the history, how it functions and overall craftsmanship and is a sum of factors. In addition, arms position as a part of a collection is important. Gathering information about the arms is important with respect to value of the collection. The information also helps the collector purchase reasonable items. At its best collecting arms is such an expensive hobby that everyone has financial limitations and one should avoid poor purchases. If a rare collectible finds its way to the market the buyer usually keeps it permanently in their collection. The collector that hesitates too long and therefore cannot anymore purchase the desired item remembers it for the rest of his life. Many outsiders refer to collectors as “arms crazy.” But maybe a better name is an arms afficionado. A collector has a desire to save his collectables so that they are always available to be looked at leisure.

Also, different fees set by the state make arms collecting expensive. As total amounts the collectors pay the highest prices as different value added taxes, permit fees, inspection fees etc. usually from previously taxed salaries. In Finland it is possible to obtain something referred to as “the rights to keep files” which is similar to a bulk permit. The total fees for the “rights to keep files” are smaller than if permits were sought for individual items. However, the savings brought about by this method are not so great that the collector would feel that the government fees are less significant. In many single cases the price of a permit is many times higher than the value of the arms. Items that are only good to use as parts for repairing other items are one example. The NRA also tries to publicize previous problems.

A collector may want to know his weapons by shooting if possible. Usage to a large extent ruins the collectable value of the arms but it is important to the collector to have the possibility to test the arms to obtain information. All kinds of restrictions regarding usage of the arms are clear statements of distrust. A deactivated weapon has been disabled for good. Its value as a collectable cannot be returned even with great effort. Destroying or deactivating valuable collectable weapons is a morally wrong deed as is ruining art or religious rarities. Arms can have value which should be passed to future generations. The only right way is to gather collectable arms in safe conditions, to keep them in good condition and to retain detailed records.

One is expected to not stray from the arms collection plan and when writing the plan one should give it thoughtful consideration. If the collector is genuine he can accurately define what does and does not belong in the collection. The collection plan usually has to be limited in some ways because otherwise one runs out of money and knowledge. The collection plan can include other relevant things. Often for example, collectable ammunition also belongs to the collection.

Ammunition collecting needs its own permit if the collection includes, for example, very dangerous ammunition or ammunition that clearly differ from the caliber of the weapons in the collection. Planning based on existing literature is the usual method. If the collection is too broad the collector will realize his financial limitations. There are surprisingly many collectable oddities with an enormous price and one is annoyed that these special items must be left out of the collection. In the worst case the collector will substitute a top piece with junk which is in bad condition. After years of collecting the collector also needs a feeling that he has been able to gather a reasonably complete collection. Collection plans, which are too broad, easily remain a pile of different guns which have nothing to do with each other. Also, if the collection plan is too narrow then future curiosities do not fit into the original plan. This problem is easily solvable by widening the collection plan by permission from the Ministry of the Interior but in a similar situation hardly any collector would narrow his plan upon noticing it is too broad. In addition, he will not even admit that he has incorrectly estimated his ability to collect. With a more focused collection plan one can obtain higher quality items and more quickly get a reasonably complete collection. One should take the broadness of the plan into account in pre-planning. A beginning collector usually estimates the availability of the items wrong. After a few year of collecting his “collecting world” usually widens and he also learns concretely that he cannot obtain everything. If the collecting focuses on rarities made in small quantities the collector also needs the support of other collectors. Contacts in Finland and abroad make it possible to obtain real rarities which could not otherwise be found. The purpose of the NRA is to support the collector at every stage of his collecting process. The experts in our organization also advise members when making the collection plan even though it is the officials who ultimately decide whether or not they accept a person as a collector with his plan. It is extremely important to find out beforehand what kind of possibilities and limitations there are with respect to collecting.

It is also beneficial for the officials that the collector knows his field. The officials also avoid frustrating additional inquiries and turning down applications. The enthusiasm of collectors should grow from the success after years of collecting and not diminish because of failures. Good collections also produce historical and technical knowledge that can be used more widely. The purpose of the NRA is to act as a representative of the arms collectors and if needed the NRA also offers help for officials with problems related to arms collecting and functions to provide positional statements.

A.Jokinen