In the wake of the worst mass shooting in Sweden’s history at Campus Risbergska in Örebro, Swedish authorities and political leaders are calling for sweeping changes to the gun legislation. Drawing on proposals from a weapons inquiry submitted last May, the Government (Regeringen) and parties are moving forward with reforms aimed at tightening access to firearms and clarifying licensing procedures.
What could change: proposed reforms
- Restricting access to semi-automatic weapons
Among the measures under consideration is limiting access to certain semi-automatic weapons, such as the AR-15. Both the Government and Sweden Democrats (SD) are advocating for stricter controls on these types of firearms—a response aimed at reducing the risk of similar tragedies in the future. - Clarifying the suitability assessment process
The Tidö-parties (Sweden Democrats, Moderate Party, Christian Democrats and Liberals), which is the coalition supporting the Government, have proposed clearer rules for the suitability assessment when applying for a gun license. The planned revisions would ensure that authorities more effectively identify individuals who, for medical or other reasons, should not be permitted to own firearms. - Enhanced reporting and oversight
In a further attempt to improve public safety, the government has tasked both the Swedish Police Authority (Polismyndigheten) and National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) with developing better systems for processing notifications about individuals deemed medically unfit to possess firearms. This initiative includes a review of the mandatory reporting requirements currently imposed on healthcare providers.
Political reactions
The tragic events in Örebro have spurred a series of candid statements from key political figures:
Magdalena Andersson (Socialdemocrats, S), former Prime Minister, told SVT:”There is every reason to revise the gun legislation.”She stressed the need to revisit the legislation, adding,
“There are too many weapons, and it is necessary to review this from several perspectives.”
Henrik Vinge (SD), vice party leader, emphasized immediate action in interviews with Expressen:”There is broad support for the role of politics. We will need to take measures to reduce the risk of something like this happening again.” He later added: “I absolutely do not rule it out. At this moment, I will not present detailed proposals on exactly what should be done, but it is clear that we must look in that direction.”
Nooshi Dadgostar (Left party, V) raised a critical question regarding the current licensing system, stating to SVT:”We must ask ourselves how this man could have a license for four weapons.”
Additional voices from government officials have highlighted gaps in the current system. For instance, Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) noted on SVT:
“Generally, one can of course say that a starting point should be that, for example, people suffering from severe mental illness should not be allowed to own weapons.”
Furthermore, discussions have pointed out that existing licensing procedures—whether obtained through a hunting license or membership in a shooting club—do not routinely include comprehensive checks for mental health issues unless previously flagged by a healthcare professional.
Broader implications and calls for national reflection
Beyond the immediate legislative proposals, the Örebro shooting has become a catalyst for a broader national conversation about security and societal values. At a meeting on Rosenbad, which included party leaders and ministers, discussions also turned to the safety of Swedish schools and the influence of “våldsförhärligande material” (glorification of violence) on social media. As one minister remarked:
The tragedy has also prompted reflective sentiments among the public and notable figures. During a visit to Örebro, Queen Silvia was reported to have asked, “Where did the beautiful Sweden go?”—a question resonating deeply with many Swedes who fear that the nation’s character is under threat.
A turning point for Swedish gun legislation
As Sweden grapples with the aftermath of the Örebro shooting, there is a clear momentum toward reforming the country’s gun laws. The proposed measures reflect a determined effort by the Government and political leaders across the spectrum to prevent future tragedies.
While the exact details and timeline for the new legislation remain uncertain, the collective call for change underscores a pivotal moment in Swedish history. The Örebro tragedy has not only exposed vulnerabilities in the current system but has also ignited a national dialogue about safety, responsibility, and the future direction of Swedish society.
