Graz, Austria — In the wake of a tragic school shooting that left 10 dead, Austria’s coalition government is poised to reshape its firearm regulations. The incident, which unfolded at a high school last week, involved a 21-year-old shooter who legally possessed a shotgun and a Glock pistol before taking his own life.
Austria’s gun laws have traditionally been less stringent compared to many of its European neighbors. Current policies permit adults without specific bans to purchase shotguns. However, acquiring handguns like the Glock requires a psychological evaluation and permits, with a minimum age set at 21.
Responding to the shooting, Chancellor Christian Stocker announced proposed reforms during a press conference following a cabinet meeting in Vienna. “We promised that we would not return to business as usual and would take the necessary steps in light of this tragedy,” Stocker stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing public safety.
Among the primary changes suggested is an increase in the minimum age for purchasing high-risk firearms from 21 to 25. Additionally, the waiting period between the purchase and delivery of firearms will extend from three days to four weeks. New gun permits will now expire after eight years, creating more frequent evaluations of gun ownership eligibility.
Mental health considerations are also taking center stage in the government’s approach. The reforms include a strengthened emphasis on psychological evaluations for potential gun owners. Over the next three years, the government plans to bolster the number of school psychologists, aiming to create supportive environments that prioritize mental health.
Chancellor Stocker remarked that the goal is to detect potential threats early and restrict access to particularly dangerous weapons. It has come to light that the shooter had previously failed a psychological assessment required for military conscription, but the military is currently not authorized to disclose such information. This gap has led to calls for improved data sharing between the military and weapon regulatory agencies to ensure that critical mental health details influence gun permit decisions.
Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler stated, “Anyone who poses a danger to society should not have the right to own a firearm.” The investigation into the shooter’s motivations continues, as families and communities mourn the lives lost in this heartbreaking incident.
As Austria confronts the aftermath of this tragedy, the proposed reforms reflect a heightened awareness of the need to balance individual rights with communal safety in a country grappling with the realities of gun violence.