On June 25, 2025, Sweden enacted a new firearms law aimed at enhancing regulation and safety for gun owners across the country. The legislation, passed by the Swedish Parliament with a vote of 176-173, introduces stricter requirements for obtaining and maintaining firearm licenses. Key provisions include mandatory psychological evaluations for all new applicants, with an estimated 45,000 individuals required to undergo screening in the first year. The law also mandates a minimum training period of 20 hours for first-time gun owners, focusing on safe handling and storage practices. Existing license holders, numbering approximately 300,000, must complete a refresher course within two years to retain their permits. Additionally, the law increases penalties for illegal possession, setting fines up to 50,000 SEK (about $4,800 USD) or imprisonment for up to two years for violations. Authorities plan to conduct 10,000 random inspections annually to ensure compliance with storage regulations, which now require firearms to be kept in certified safes. The legislation follows a reported rise in firearm-related incidents, with 1,200 cases recorded in 2024, prompting the government to allocate 15 million SEK ($1.4 million USD) for enforcement and public education campaigns. Implementation begins July 1, 2025, with a registration deadline of December 31, 2025, for current owners to update their licenses.
34news.online
34news.online
