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Do police officers in Norway carry guns?

General armament since 2025, the new law and the police numbers to know.

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Short answer

Yes, Norwegian police officers have generally carried firearms on duty since 1 July 2025, within limits set by the Norwegian Police Directorate (Politidirektoratet). Before that, the police were in principle unarmed in daily service. In June 2026 the Storting passed a law making armament the main rule, though some tasks, such as meeting children, can be done unarmed.

Emergency assistance in Norway a shield icon with a check mark next to a tent and a small no-campfire sign on a green hillside

Why

  1. The Storting amended the Police Act in June 2025 so that the Police Directorate can decide that officers are armed in daily service, and the change took effect on 20 June 2025.
  2. The rules on using firearms did not change: according to the Ministry of Justice, a firearm may still be used only when it is absolutely necessary and other measures are not enough.
  3. A new law, sanctioned in the Council of State on 19 June 2026, writes into the Police Act that the police shall as a rule be armed, and the Police Directorate decides which tasks can be done unarmed.

Details

For visitors, the practical contact details stay the same. Call 112 in an emergency. For help reporting a crime or an incident that is not urgent, call 02800, or report theft, vandalism, burglary or fraud online at anmeldelse.politiet.no if you have an electronic ID such as BankID or MinID.

Tip

Save 112 and 02800 in your phone before the trip, so you know which number to use in an emergency and which one for everything else.

Common misconception

Norwegian police never carry guns.

What actually happens

That was largely true before July 2025, when the police were in principle unarmed in daily service. Since 1 July 2025 they have been generally armed on duty.

People also ask

  • Are Norwegian police armed?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Norwegian Police (politiet.no) for current information.

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