Shooting ranges are a critical resource for Sweden's Total Defence (Totalförsvar), but the question of their future has long been neglected. While Sweden's ranges are successively being closed due to underfunding and bureaucracy, the need for shooting facilities is growing acutely, not only for civilian associations but also for arms-carrying authorities such as the Police, the Swedish Coast Guard (Kustbevakningen), and the Swedish Customs Service (Tullverket). At the same time, we face new requirements linked to host nation support for NATO units deployed in Sweden, as well as the need for enhanced readiness capacity in municipalities, civil defence districts, and home guard units. These activities will, sooner rather than later, require shooting ranges as part of their capability development and their responsibility for Sweden's security.

Swedish shooting sports, with their long tradition and deep roots in civil society, are not merely a sport or a leisure pursuit. They are a vital part of our society's defence capability and preparedness. Shooting ranges have long been places where both civilian marksmen and the personnel of public authorities develop and maintain their weapons proficiency, a proficiency that is invaluable in times of crisis and conflict.

Today, access to range time is anything but predictable or consistent for arms-carrying authorities across the country, as the Swedish Police journal Polistidningen reported as recently as November 2024. Arrangements with local shooting ranges are being made, which is positive, but this is not a method that can be scaled up, as it is entirely dependent on the voluntary association running the range being able to sustain its operations. These associations, in turn, face closure threats because they lack the financial means to meet the environmental requirements imposed on them by the state and the EU.

At the same time, solutions exist. New, flexible, and environmentally friendly range concepts make it possible to meet both environmental requirements and modern needs in a cost-effective manner. These innovations enable the creation of sustainable shooting ranges that can be used by everyone from civilian associations to public authorities and NATO forces within the framework of host nation support. Furthermore, many contractors are ready to build facilities, but as long as they lack letters of intent or agreements with public authorities, they cannot secure the financing needed to carry out their plans.

Decision-makers and resource owners at all levels of the public sector need to take the initiative to coordinate and begin making investment decisions. In the longer term, this could lead to a national strategy, but that is for later. The state of shooting capability in Sweden is acute, and it has long been time to act.

Per Uddgårdh Shooting Range Engineer and Reserve Officer CEO, Pointyard AB