Stockholm Shooting Range Faces Closure: Impact on Swedish Defense

A 60-year-old shooting club outside Stockholm is facing potential closure after the Swedish Fortifications Agency (Fortifikationsverket) terminated its lease agreement for the shooting range located in the Tallmilan area of Sigtuna municipality. The decision impacts Rosersbergs Shooting Association and its affiliated clubs, representing over 2,000 members.

The lease termination, effective October 31, 2029, was described by the association as a formality to avoid automatic renewal, but a clear rationale for the decision has not been provided, according to the association’s website. Rosersbergs Shooting Association encompasses several shooting disciplines, including rifle shooting at both short and long ranges, shotgun shooting, and pistol shooting.

The association is strongly contesting the termination and has begun efforts to have the decision reconsidered. A key argument centers on the facility’s importance not only for recreational shooting but too for national defense preparedness. The association highlights its contribution to both leisure activities and skills provision within the total defense system, aligning with the Swedish Parliament’s direction for the period 2025–2030.

The shooting range is utilized not only by members but also by external entities, including the Swedish Police Authority, the Swedish Customs Agency, and the Swedish Armed Forces. This multi-agency use is a central component of the association’s argument for maintaining the facility.

The issue was raised in the Swedish Parliament’s question time on Thursday, March 20, 2026. Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats questioned the rationale behind Fortifikationsverket’s decision, emphasizing the association’s support for total defense, including the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the Police Authority, which use the range for training. “These types of associations are, according to the total defense proposition, a necessary part of the civilian and military infrastructure,” Aspling stated. “There aren’t a huge number of shooting ranges like this in the Stockholm area. I therefore wish to ask the Minister for Defence if he can consider taking action to ensure that these types of shooting ranges are not closed down unless there are strong reasons to do so, which does not seem to be the case here.”

Minister for Defence Pål Jonson responded that, formally, Fortifikationsverket falls under the purview of the Minister for Financial Markets, Niklas Wykman, and he could not comment on individual shooting ranges. However, he acknowledged the importance of the shooting movement from a total defense perspective, as outlined in the total defense proposition, and noted the need to increase access to shooting ranges. Jonson also highlighted the close dialogue now maintained with several voluntary defense organizations and acknowledged increasing pressure on shooting ranges due to the expansion of the military defense.

Jonson further stated that he sometimes feels concern that voluntary defense organizations may have reduced access to shooting ranges, and that the government is engaged in discussions to address this issue and explore ways to increase accessibility.

Rosersbergs Shooting Association is comprised of Rosersbergs Hunting Shooting Club, Rosersbergs Shooting Association Rifle, Rosersbergs Pistol Club White Eagle, and Hjortskyttarna. Rosersbergs Hunting Shooting Club is the largest, with over 1,500 members. The facility includes a 300-meter range, three trap ranges, a sporting clay range, a skeet range, an 80-meter running boar range, two 50-meter ranges for running deer and boar, an indoor 100-meter range, and four pistol shooting ranges for practical shooting and black powder shooting, as well as a large shooting pavilion for gatherings, and training.

Despite the notice, the association stated that operations will continue as planned according to the scheduled shooting program, noting that the timeframe until 2029 provides an opportunity to influence the process.