[EVENT]Civilian Marksmanship Program

A bill to authorize the formation of a Civilian Marksmanship Program has been introduced in the Althing, by Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir, the Minister of Justice. The bill has support from Viðreisn and the Social Democratic Alliance. The bill was written in cooperation with Karl Steinar Valsson, a Police Commissioner and head of international cooperation. In light of recent events, including Russian requests for 60% of funds spent rebuilding Ukraine to be spent in Russia, Iceland has seen fit to make the opening moves that would be required to build a successful national defense capability.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program would support Icelandic Citizens in practicing with their firearms. Membership in the Civilian Marksmanship Program can be registered online. Then, gun owners will be able to request ammunition from a variety of popular pre-approved varieties, provided they own a gun capable of using the ammunition. This change is intended to help make gun ownership more accessible, and to improve the general readiness of the Icelandic Population. Membership in the Marksmanship program is free, and available to all Icelandic Citizens over the age of 20. Importantly, gun ownership is not a requirement, and guns will be provided for those who do not own them at range days, though these weapons will be strictly monitored and returned at the end of the day.

. Every two weeks in Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Reykjanesbær, the Icelandic Police will hold range days. At these range days, gun owners will be provided ammunition, as well as offered opportunities to fire weapons belonging to the police and the coast guard. The main draw is likely to be the Browning M2 machine gun, of which several are in storage for the Coast Guard. Alongside the M2s, participants will be allowed to fire some of the Sako M23s that Iceland has received from Finland. Alongside practicing with their firearms, and being allowed to fire weapons they cannot own, the goal will be to foster a sense of community.

Iceland Review

January 5th, 2026

Icelanders Brave The Cold to Fire Big Guns at First Ever Police Range Day

The Icelandic Police held the first ever “Range Day” today, allowing Icelanders at three locations throughout the country to come and receive firearms training from law enforcement officials, as well as allowing them to fire guns Icelandic Citizens are prohibited from owning. While officials set a target of 250 for attendance, they drew in nearly 40% more people than expected, with total attendance for the event being 346 nationwide, with the Reykjavik event being the most heavily attended, with nearly 200 people showing up. This was an impressive showing, as the cold temperatures were seen as a significant obstacle to attendance. In Reykjavik, Police Commissioner Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdótt made an appearance at both the Reykjavik and Reykjanesbær Range Days, instructing Icelandic Citizens in marksmanship, personally showing several people how to fire Sako M23 rifles. Food was provided, primarily hot dogs, and while drinking was not allowed, good times were had, and signs of support for the program are growing.

The events were promoted online, on Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok. Advertising focused on the training offered, as well as the opportunity to fire heavier weapons than Icelandic Civilians could normally fire. The first Range Day offered M2 Brownings, which proved to be a great success, and a better use for the weapons than sitting in storage. The Icelandic Police hope that the Civilian Marksmanship program will expand in membership as awareness increases, and rumors have already begun to circulate online that the Icelandic Police are preparing to offer more new experiences in the future. One rumor says that the Icelandic Police may mount an M2 Browning on the back of a pickup truck, and according to our sources at Arctic Trucks, they’ve been hired to add additional armor onto several GMC Yukons, alongside a Toyota Hilux.