Amoslauf Graz: Austria’s Stricter Gun Laws

Austria to Tighten Gun Laws After School Shooting

New Regulations Planned Following Graz High School Tragedy

GRAZ, June 14, 2025 – In the wake of a tragic school shooting in Graz, the Austrian government is moving to tighten gun control laws. The reforms aim to address the legal aftermath of the incident and enhance public safety.

• Stricter rules for purchasing and owning weapons are being considered.
• Enhanced psychological testing will be implemented.
• The government aims to decide on the tightened measures by Wednesday.

What is Austria doing in response to the school shooting? The Austrian government is planning to implement stricter gun laws, including enhanced psychological testing and tighter regulations on weapon ownership and purchase, following the recent school shooting in Graz.

Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker announced the government’s intentions in an interview with ORF radio. The proposed changes include stricter regulations for the possession and purchase of weapons.

Possible measures include adjustments to the minimum age for gun ownership, new requirements regarding the types of weapons allowed, and more rigorous psychological evaluations for those applying for a gun license. The Chancellery stated that the cabinet is scheduled to make a decision on these measures on Wednesday.

Perpetrator Legally Possessed Weapons

The government’s proposals also include strengthening psychological expertise in schools, increasing police presence, and improving data exchange between different authorities. The shooter in the Graz incident legally owned the weapons used after passing a psychological test to maintain a gun ownership card.

It was later revealed that the shooter had been deemed psychologically unstable in 2021. While data protection laws previously prevented the sharing of this information, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that this must change, as reported by ORF.

Calls for Stricter Gun Laws

In addition to these measures, the SPÖ (Social Democratic Party) is advocating for restrictions on weapon access for specific groups, closer monitoring of at-risk young people, and stricter regulations for social media use among children and adolescents. This was confirmed by the Chancellery, citing a report from “Kronen Zeitung.”

SPÖ security spokesman Max Köllner told “The Standard” newspaper, “We will never be able to prevent everything, but we have to make the risk that it will happen again, at least as low as possible.”

Köllner believes that it should not be “easier for an 18-year-old to buy a shotgun than for a ten-year-old to get your bicycle driver’s license.” The SPÖ is a coalition partner of the ÖVP.

Motive Remains Unknown

On Tuesday, a 21-year-old Austrian used a pistol and a sawn-off shotgun to shoot nine young people and a teacher at his former school. He then took his own life. Both weapons were legally obtained.

According to police, the shooter was introverted and led a comfortable life. The motive behind the attack is still unknown.

Austria to Tighten Gun Laws After school Shooting: A Complete Overview

GRAZ, June 14, 2025 – In the wake of a tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, the government is swiftly responding by enacting stricter gun control laws. These reforms aim to address the legal aftermath of the incident and bolster public safety.Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe [[1]], is taking decisive action.

core Explainer: The Push for Stricter Gun Control

The recent school shooting in Graz has prompted the Austrian government to review and revise its gun laws. The focus is on enhancing public safety and preventing future tragedies. The planned measures include tighter regulations on the purchase, ownership, and use of weapons. This is in direct response to the devastating event.

Key Changes and Current Proposals

• Stricter Regulations: Expect tighter rules on buying and owning firearms.
• Enhanced Psychological Testing: More thorough psychological evaluations are planned.
• Government Decision: A cabinet decision on the tightened measures is scheduled for Wednesday.

The Austrian government intends to implement stricter gun laws following the school shooting [[3]]. Included are enhanced psychological testing and tighter regulations.

The Perpetrator and Legally owned Weapons

The tragic reality is that the shooter legally possessed the weapons used in the Graz incident. He had passed a psychological test to maintain his gun ownership card. This highlights the need for more robust checks and balances within the current system. The government is also considering measures to strengthen psychological expertise in schools, increase police presence, and improve data exchange between different authorities.

The Role of Political parties and Public Opinion

Beyond government actions, political parties are also voicing their opinions. The SPÖ (Social Democratic Party) is advocating for restrictions on weapon access for specific groups and increased monitoring of at-risk young people. They also want stricter regulations for social media use among children and adolescents. The goal is to minimize the risk of such events happening again, according to SPÖ security spokesman Max Köllner.

The austrian government aims to establish stricter rules on purchasing and owning weapons. It will also implement enhanced psychological testing. Austrian officials are responding to the recent school shooting in Graz with immediate action.

It remains unknown what pushed the 21-year-old Austrian citizen to carry out the shooting. Sadly, both weapons used, a pistol and a sawn-off shotgun, were legally obtained [[2]].

Benefits and Practical Tips

• Increased Public Safety: Stricter gun laws can reduce gun-related violence.
• Enhanced Mental Health Checks: Improved psychological evaluations can definitely help identify at-risk individuals.
• Community Awareness: Open discussions can lead to a safer and more informed society about the dangers of gun violence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Austria doing in response to the school shooting? The Austrian government is planning to implement stricter gun laws, including enhanced psychological testing and tighter regulations on weapon ownership and purchase, following the recent school shooting in Graz.

What measures are being considered? Possible measures include adjustments to the minimum age for gun ownership, new requirements regarding the types of weapons allowed, and more rigorous psychological evaluations for those applying for a gun license.