Sweden Seeks Stiff Gun Laws After Deadly School Shooting

Sweden’s government has expressed plans to stiffened gun laws, as police confirmed for the first time on Friday details of those killed in the worst mass shooting the country’s history.

Seven women and four men between 28 and 68 died in the attack, police said, including the gunman. All were from Orebro county, the region where the shooting took place.

Police also confirmed that the killer was a 35-year-old man. He has been widely named by Swedish media as Rickard Andersson.

Sweden’s centre-right coalition said on Friday it would seek to increase vetting for gun licences and restrict access to semi-automatic weapons.

“There are certain types of weapons that are so dangerous that they should only be possessed for civilian purposes as an exception,” the government said.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, on a visit to Latvia, told reporters: “We have to ensure that only the right people have guns in Sweden.”

The Sweden Democrats said that it agreed with proposals to amend the law, including greater restrictions on access to semi-automatic weapons.

“The horrific act of violence in Orebro raises several key questions about gun legislation,” the party said in a statement.

Police have not said exactly which weapons were used in the attack, but the AR-15 has been used in many mass shootings in the US.

They confirmed that several long rifles were found at the site of the attack in Orebro, along with 10 empty magazines.

Under current Swedish gun laws, anyone over 18 who does not have a criminal record can apply for a permit for a shotgun, handgun or semi-automatic rifle.

They must justify to the police why they need a gun. People over 20 can apply for a special dispensation to own a fully automatic weapon.

BBC/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma