Sweden’s government has announced plans to tighten gun laws, including restricting access to semi-automatic firearms, following the country’s deadliest mass shooting.
On Tuesday, a gunman killed 10 people at an education center in Örebro, west of Stockholm, before taking his own life. Authorities have not disclosed the type of weapon used but confirmed that he legally owned four firearms, three of which were found beside him.
“This horrific attack raises important questions about gun legislation,” stated Sweden’s center-right coalition government, which depends on support from the far-right Sweden Democrats. Alongside stricter laws, the government aims to enhance reporting mechanisms for individuals deemed medically unfit to own firearms.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, speaking during a visit to Latvia, emphasized the need to ensure that only responsible individuals have access to guns in Sweden.
On Friday, police completed the identification process, confirming that seven women and four men, aged between 31 and 68, had been killed. However, the authorities have not yet disclosed their names, nationalities, or the identity of the shooter.
According to media, the victims included a man from Syria, a woman from Eritrea, and a woman from Iran. Investigators are looking into whether the attack was racially motivated.
Sweden allows its large hunting community to apply for licenses for semi-automatic weapons. In August 2023, a ban on military-style models was lifted by the environmental protection agency, permitting guns like the AR-15 for hunting.
On Friday, the government announced plans to reinstate pre-2023 restrictions and devise a strategy to seize military-style firearms. “The AR-15, capable of holding large magazines, can cause significant harm in a short time,” officials stated.
A recent report found that certain key factors in assessing gun permit eligibility—such as age, knowledge, skills, medical conditions, and criminal history—were not explicitly defined in Sweden’s weapons regulations and should be codified into law.
Additionally, the government intends to clarify doctors’ responsibilities in reporting health concerns related to gun ownership and enhance the police’s authority to revoke firearm licenses.
The opposition Social Democrats welcomed these proposals but urged a comprehensive review of all gun licenses and better coordination between government agencies managing firearm registries.
Several high-profile members of the Sweden Democrats have publicly criticized the proposed measures.
Swedish media identified the suspected shooter as Rickard Andersson, a 35-year-old former student of the school who lived locally. Reports indicate he attended math classes at the institution a few years ago and had been unemployed for a decade.
Among the victims was 28-year-old Salim Iskef, who called his fiancée, Kareen Elia, from the school to tell her he had been shot. “He told me, ‘I’ve been shot, they shot us.’ He said he loved me, and that was the last thing I heard,” she recalled.
Iskef, who fled Syria’s war a decade ago, was training to become a caregiver and was preparing for his final exams while working with elderly patients. On Thursday night, a memorial service for him was attended by a large congregation, with standing room only.
Fr. Jacob Kasselia, a priest at St. Maria Örebro, the Syrian Orthodox church where Iskef worshiped, described the community’s devastation. “Our doors are open to everyone, and this tragedy has cast a shadow over us all. But we must seek light in the darkness,” he said.
Kasselia also confirmed that among the victims was an Eritrean woman who was raising four children alone and a middle-aged woman from Iran.
He noted that the number of non-Swedish victims would have a lasting impact on Örebro and the country as a whole. He attended a remembrance service on Wednesday, which was also attended by the Swedish prime minister and the royal family. “This tragedy has darkened our hearts,” he said.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Bosnian Islamic Community in Örebro was advised to increase security and has since hired guards to monitor the mosque.
Elia Xincher, a 20-year-old student and member of a Syrian Orthodox youth group, said many of its members attended Campus Risbergska to improve their academic qualifications for university or employment.
Some of his friends had to hide in a classroom during the shooting. “I saw one of them yesterday, and she is still shaking,” he said. “This is something you never forget.”
