helautomatiska

Helautomatiska, meaning fully automatic in Swedish, describes firearms that can fire continuously while the trigger is pressed and ammunition remains available. In contrast, semi-automatic firearms fire one round per trigger pull and automatically chamber the next round, but require a new trigger pull for each shot. In fully automatic mode, the firing mechanism uses energy from each shot—gas pressure or recoil—to eject the spent cartridge, rechamber the next round, and release the sear so the weapon may keep firing until the trigger is released or ammunition is exhausted.

Fully automatic weapons have been used extensively by military forces and certain law enforcement units, but civilian access is heavily restricted in most countries. The legal status varies: many jurisdictions ban civilian ownership, restrict possession to licensed collectors, or require special permits. Regulation typically covers licensing, background checks, registered ownership, secure storage, and controlled transfers. Internationally, weapons classified as fully automatic are subject to treaties, export controls, and national laws.

Historically, automatic fire emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with machine guns powered by external sources, followed by gas- and recoil-operated systems in portable firearms. Modern fully automatic weapons are typically designed for military use, employing magazine or belt feeds, selectable fire modes, and various rates of fire. Safety and responsibility remain central concerns, given the potential for rapid, indiscriminate discharge.

In Swedish usage, the term helaotomatiska vapen is used to refer to fully automatic weapons, distinguishing them from halvautomatiska (semi-automatic) firearms.