GUN LAWS -- SWEDEN ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Par-Mikael Odsater ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In Sweden you have to fullfill the following to get a permit for a gun: - Be 18 or older. - Perform a shooting test within a calendar year Jan 1 - Dec 31. - Be a member of a shooting club for at least 6 months. - Not have a criminal record. Additional information: Q: Is the police permit discretionary? (read: Do you have to depend on the goodwill of the police to get the permit or dou you have a legal right to possess arms?) A: In Sweden, we don't have the right to possess arm like in the US but we do have the right to possess arms if you have the needs. If you are a hunter or competiotion shooter like myself, then we have the right to possess arms. We can only get permits for the arms that we need (in my case pistols and revolvers). Q: What kind of guns are prohibited to possess? (e.g. full-auto) A: Full-autos are prohibited if you don't have special needs for a full-auto. Q: What is the maximum number of guns a Swedish citizen might possess? A: It's a matter of needs, there is no legal upper limit. Q: Is that number different for certain types of guns (handguns, rifles, shotguns)? A: It's up to you as a person to motivate why you need the gun that you are applying for. Q: Do you need a permit for each single gun you want to buy or is this permit summary (as in " may possess up to guns.")? A: It's one permit for each gun. Q: Is a handgun more difficult to get than a long gun? A: No, if you fullfill all the requirements there is no problem to get a permit. Q: What about hunting guns (rifles (e.g for elks), shotguns)? A: Again it's a matter of needs. Q: What do you need to do to acquire ammunition? A: Possess a gun permit. Q: Is hollow-point ammo legal? A: Yes. (For hunting, possibly yes). Q: Do you need to perform periodic training to keep your guns? A: Yes in a way there is. To keep the permit for handguns you have to fullfill the shooting requirements every 2 years. For rifles I don't know. Q: Who might carry a gun (loaded, that is)? A: Only the police, military and security guards. Q: In what condition do you have to keep you gun at home (e.g. locked and unloaded)? A: You need to have a security locker (freely translated) or a safe. The gun can be loaded when placed in the locker. It's not recomended. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mats Winberg ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In Sweden (pop. 9 million) there are strict gun laws compared to almost any state in the U.S. You're right in that there is a strong hunting tradition here. Hunters may own up to 6 rifles and/or shotguns but they have to pass a test prior to getting the license. To get a licence for a pistol or a revolver I think you have to be a member of a shooting club. Military weapons such as sub machine guns are impossible to own legally here. Army officers and members of the Home Guard keep them at home though. Killings with guns are fortunately rare here, our main problem is armed robberies of postal and bank offices were stolen military and civilian weapons are used. Last year a police officer was killed during a robbery of a bank transport. Politically, gun restriction is not an issue here, if anything the trend is towards more restriction. There has been criticism against the Army for the lack of protection of their gun depots. Shootings are so rare that they always reach national headlines if they occur. The last time a police officer was shot to death prior to last year was in 1966 I think.