School Tragedy Sparks Calls for Gun Law Reform in Austria
Austria set to strengthen firearm regulations post-amoklauf incident
In the wake of a horrific school shooting in Graz, the Austrian government is making plans to tighten gun regulations, with Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) proposing measures such as raising the minimum age for buying guns and improving psychological tests for gun license applicants [Enrichment Data]. The decision-making process for this package of measures is scheduled for next week.
On Tuesday, a 21-year-old Austrian, armed with a pistol and a sawed-off shotgun—both legally owned by him—launched an attack on his former school, resulting in the deaths of nine students, a teacher, and himself [Base Article]. Although he passed a psychological test to obtain a gun license, it was later revealed that he had been deemed unfit for military service in 2021 due to psychological instability.
Under current Austrian gun laws, there are minimal barriers to purchasing a shotgun [Enrichment Data], while a license is required for pistols. However, the necessity of psychological evaluations for all applicants is not mandatory [Enrichment Data].
In a clear response to this tragic event, Austrian authorities are exploring stricter evaluations for gun license applicants and are considering narrowing the classifications for legal weapons [Enrichment Data]. This push towards reform reflects a shift towards stricter gun control measures, aiming to address public safety concerns and historical lax firearm regulations [Enrichment Data]. The Austrian government will vote on a reform package on June 18 to address these issues [Enrichment Data].
This isn't the first time Austria's gun laws have come under scrutiny. Only last year, the country saw another school shooting, highlighting the urgent need for change. Let's hope these reforms will go a long way in ensuring the safety and well-being of innocent Austrian citizens.
In the aftermath of the school shooting in Graz, radio stations across Austria have been discussing the proposed policy-and-legislation changes to tighten gun regulations, with some programs delving into the politics surrounding the issue. Meanwhile, general news coverage has been dominated by crime-and-justice reports, providing updates on the ongoing investigation into the shooting and the rationale behind the attacker's access to legal weapons despite previous psychological instability.
