Swedish Government Moves to Ban AR-15 for Hunting Amid New Gun Regulations
Sweden plans to ban the AR-15 for hunting, with new regulations following mass shooting incidents.
Key Points
- • AR-15 banned for hunting purposes; existing licenses to be revoked.
- • Transition options for hunters to retain their AR-15 by moving to sport shooting.
- • State buy-back program at 100% market value estimated to cost 175 million SEK.
- • Stricter checks for gun license suitability to be implemented.
The Swedish government has announced a significant overhaul of its gun laws, specifically targeting the AR-15 rifle, which will be banned for hunting purposes. This decision comes as part of a new legislative agreement reached with the Sweden Democrats, particularly following a recent mass shooting in Örebro, emphasizing a shift towards stricter firearms control in the nation.
As per the new regulations, starting from August 1, 2025, no new hunting permits for the AR-15 will be issued, while existing permits will be phased out within two years barring a transition to sport shooting. Hunters wishing to retain their AR-15 rifles will need to adapt to sport shooting regulations in this timeframe, or otherwise be compelled to sell or surrender their weapons.
The Swedish government has committed to buying back the AR-15s at 100% of their original market value, an increase from a previously proposed 80%. This buy-back scheme is expected to cost the government approximately 175 million SEK. Additionally, the government plans to donate surrendered AR-15 rifles to support Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict.
While the AR-15 has only been legal for hunting since August 2023, many hunters have acquired the firearm. The new legislation allows for the continued use of other semi-automatic rifles for hunting, but will also introduce certain regulatory relaxations for hunters and sport shooters; for example, increasing the maximum number of permitted hunting rifles from four to eight, with potential for justified exceptions beyond this limit.
Stricter suitability checks will be implemented for all gun license applicants, with a report from the police and the National Board of Health and Welfare due by September. These measures underline the government's intention to tighten gun regulations significantly in response to public safety concerns while balancing the needs of hunters and sport shooters in Sweden.