How strict are gun laws in Sweden?

Restrictive

Sweden has restrictive gun laws requiring proof of threat for permits, with limited civilian ownership.

Sweden is one of 45 countries classified “Restrictive” for civilian gun ownership — 40% of the 113 with data. (Also searched as firearm laws.)

Source

Taken from
Wikipedia: Overview of gun laws by nation
Last checked
7 July 2026
How it was classified
Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.

Nearby countries

Norway
Restrictive Hunting and sport shooting allowed with restricted licensing and waiting periods.
Finland
Licensed / moderate Firearms ownership allowed for hunting, sport shooting, and collecting with licensing.
Estonia
Licensed / moderate Firearms ownership allowed with licensing for hunting, sport shooting, and collecting.
Denmark
Restrictive Only shotguns pre-2001 allowed for civilians, with strict restrictions.
Poland
Varies by region Cannabis laws vary by type of use and license requirements.
Belarus
Licensed / moderate Firearms allowed for hunting and sport shooting with licensing requirements.

Other laws in Sweden

Death Penalty
Fully abolished
School Corporal Punishment
Banned
Military Conscription
Active conscription
Jury Trials
Limited use / mixed courts

Every law in Sweden → · How strict are gun laws around the world? →

A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.