Yes, Tasers are legal in Sweden but strictly regulated under the Vapenlagen (Weapons Act) and Polislagen (Police Act), requiring permits for civilian possession. Only law enforcement and authorized security personnel may carry them, with civilian use prohibited. Recent 2026 amendments tighten oversight, mandating background checks and storage protocols.
Key Regulations for Tasers in Sweden
- Permit Requirement: Civilians must obtain a vapenlicens (firearms license) from the Polismyndigheten (Police Authority), which evaluates criminal history and mental fitness. Tasers are classified as skjutvapen (firearms) under the Vapenlagen, triggering stringent scrutiny.
- Law Enforcement Exclusivity: Only police officers, military personnel, and certified security guards (with bevakningslicens) may carry Tasers, per Polislagen §18. Unauthorized possession risks confiscation and criminal charges under Brottsbalken (Penal Code) Chapter 14.
- Storage and Use Protocols: Tasers must be stored in locked safes inaccessible to minors, with usage restricted to proportional force in self-defense. Violations trigger liability under Skadeståndslagen (Damages Act) and potential disciplinary action by the Säkerhets- och integritetsskyddsmyndigheten (SIM).