HELSINKI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Finland is ready to raise the age limit for acquiring firearms from 15 to 18, the Finnish government said Friday, after a teenage killed eight people at the Jokela school in southern Finland on Wednesday.

　　Finnish Interior Ministry Anne Holmlund said that the Government Cabinet Committee on European Union Affairs discussed on Friday the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. The Cabinet Committee submitted a proposal to Parliament's Grand Committee that Finland approve the Directive proposal allowing only people who have turned 18 to acquire firearms.

　　Under the proposed new EU directive, children under the age of 18 would not be allowed to possess firearms at all.

　　"This requires an amendment to the Finnish Firearms Act. Under the current Act, a 15-year-old may obtain a firearm with the consent of his or her guardian," said Anne Holmlund.

　　Finland's readiness to raise the age limit for acquiring firearms is seen to be linked with the aftermath of the Jokela School shooting which happened on Wednesday. A student opened fire in his school, killing eight people and himself.

　　"It's obvious that this kind of tragic incident has probably sped up the decision," interior ministry spokesman Ilkka Salmi said.

　　Finland has world's third highest rate of gun ownership behind the United States and Yemen, with 56 guns per 100 people.