A new Firearms Act
Published:
The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal on a new Firearms Act. The new rules mean, among other things, a ban on certain types of semi-automatic rifles for hunting.
The new Firearms Act will mean for example that:
- the requirements relating to possession of firearms will be clarified;
- relaxation of the rules will be introduced, for example, more flexible storage rules and the EU's simplified rules on bringing weapons into the country for sport shooters and hunters;
- five-year licences for fully automatic weapons and one-handed, multishot weapons will be abolished and replaced with a supervision procedure;
- a ban will be introduced on granting new licences for certain types of semi-automatic rifles for hunting and killing of animals caught in traps;
- a clearer division will be made in the criminal law provisions of the Firearms Act between offences that are typically committed by illegal weapon owners and other criminalised breaches of the Firearms Act.
The new rules will come into force on 1 June 2026.