Professor: Demand Psychological Testing for Gun Licenses

Prior to psychological tests for background checks to obtain a gun license. This is written by Nazar Akrami, professor of psychology at Uppsala University, on Svenska Dagbladet's debate page.

» Published: February 18 2025

Professor: Demand Psychological Testing for Gun Licenses
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

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"Security is not just a matter of physical barriers or technical solutions. It is also, or perhaps primarily, about understanding human behavior and psychological factors that can affect risks and threats", he writes.

Akrami notes that the issue has been highlighted after the mass murder at Campus Risbergska in Örebro.

"Even if not everyone who lacks psychological suitability poses a risk, and not everyone with a gun license is dangerous, the combination of gun ownership and psychological unsuitability is a vulnerability that society cannot afford to ignore", he writes in SvD.

According to Nazar Akrami, it is not "about restricting law-abiding citizens' rights" but about investing in security to "create a safer environment for everyone".

"Just as we have strict rules for how weapons should be stored and handled, we should also have strict rules for who should be allowed to own them."

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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