Tougher penalties for handling of firearms and explosive goods

The Riksdag has voted in favour of the Government's proposal for tougher penalties for the most serious forms of firearms offences, breaches of permit requirements for explosive goods, arms smuggling and smuggling of explosive goods. 

The proposals mean the following legislative amendments and introduction of stricter provisions:

• The scale of penalties for gross offences will be changed from imprisonment for at least two years and at most five years, to imprisonment of at least four years and at most seven years.
• The scale of penalties for exceptionally gross offences will be changed from imprisonment for at least four years and at most seven years to imprisonment for at least six years and at most ten years.
• The maximum penalty for normal grade offences will be increased from imprisonment for three years to imprisonment for five years. 
  The purpose is to underline the gravity of this kind of offence which is often committed by criminal networks. 

The legislative amendments will come into force on 1 January 2024.