Örebro: Sweden’s right-wing government announced plans to strengthen gun laws following the country’s deadliest mass shooting at an adult education center. The attacker, identified by sources as 35-year-old Swedish recluse Rickard Andersson, reportedly used several legally owned rifles in the attack at Campus Risbergska school in Örebro.
On Tuesday, ten people were killed before the suspect turned the weapon on himself. Authorities confirmed on Friday that the gunman was a 35-year-old man and that all victims had been identified. The deceased included seven women and four men, aged between 28 and 68, with several being Christian refugees who had fled persecution in Syria. However, police have found no evidence suggesting an ideological motive.
Government’s Response
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged the fear and vulnerability many immigrant communities in Sweden now feel in the aftermath of the attack.
“My thoughts are with the relatives who have now received the call that is the worst one can get. To you, I want to say: you are not alone. We stand beside you,” Kristersson wrote in a social media post.
The government, with support from its far-right parliamentary allies, plans to tighten background checks for gun permits and restrict certain semi-automatic firearms. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer highlighted the AR-15, an assault rifle commonly linked to mass shootings in the U.S., as a potential target for prohibition.
“In light of the horrible shooting in Örebro earlier this week, we believe that the right balance is to roll back the regulation and prohibit that kind of weapon,” Strömmer told Reuters.
Although it remains unclear what specific firearms were used in the attack, three licensed rifles belonging to the suspect were recovered at the scene. Local reports indicate he had a hunting license. Strömmer emphasized that banning AR-15-style weapons would be a preventive step, stating, “We know that kind of weapon, with some changes, can become very dangerous and also that it has been used in similar shootings in other countries.”
Sweden permitted AR-15 rifles for hunting in 2023, and approximately 3,500 have been registered since then.
Political Reactions and Security Measures
The opposition Social Democrats welcomed the proposed restrictions but urged further reforms to firearm regulations.
“There is a before and after February 4,” said Social Democrat lawmaker Theresa Carvalho, calling for stricter vetting procedures.
The shooting has also intensified discussions on school security. Unlike many other countries, Swedish schools are generally considered open spaces with minimal entry restrictions.
The government is now considering accelerating legislation to facilitate the installation of surveillance cameras in schools, a measure already progressing through parliament, Strömmer stated in an interview on Thursday.
Gun Ownership in Sweden
Sweden has one of the highest levels of civilian gun ownership in Europe, though significantly lower than the United States. Most firearms are legally owned for hunting, but an ongoing surge in gang violence has underscored the prevalence of illegal handguns.
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According to 2017 data from The Small Arms Survey, a Swiss-based research institute, Sweden had approximately 2.3 million privately owned firearms—equivalent to 23 guns per 100 people. In comparison, the U.S. had 120 guns per 100 people, while Britain had 4.6.
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Investigation Continues
The attack has left Sweden in mourning as authorities continue investigating a possible motive. Police are also examining reports that Andersson was once a student at the school.
