Sweden launches inquiry to increase civilian shooting range access

The Swedish government has appointed a special investigator, Pia Clerté, to examine how to increase the availability of civilian shooting ranges across the country. The move follows long-standing requests from the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management (Svenska Jägareförbundet) to address a shortage of facilities.

Carl-Johan Djurstedt Holm, General Secretary of the Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Management, stated that shooting ranges should be classified as critical infrastructure due to their importance to the nation's total defense. The association noted that current issues include facility closures and long waiting lists, which they describe as an ‘unacceptable bottleneck’ in a security environment where national preparedness is being prioritized.

The inquiry was presented by Minister for Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin and Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. The investigation aims to resolve the pressured situation facing the country's shooting facilities and explore models for upgrading existing ranges.