Austria strengthening firearm regulations following amok run

Austrian Tragedy Sparks Tightened Gun Laws: Chancellor's Proposed Measures

Austria reinforces firearm regulations in response to mass shooting incident - Austria strengthening firearm regulations following amok run

Catch up on the latest news: The Austrian government is set to crack down on gun laws following the horrific school shooting in Graz that left 10 students and a teacher dead, and 12 injured. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) has outlined key changes to expect in an ORF radio interview. These include raising the minimum age for gun buyers and stepping up psychological assessments for obtaining a gun license. The government hopes to finalize the package of measures by next week.

Here's what we know:

• On Tuesday, a 21-year-old Austrian went on a rampage at his former school, armed with a pistol and a sawed-off shotgun, both legally owned.
• While acquiring a shotgun in Austria is relatively easy, obtaining a pistol requires a license after passing a psychological test. The shooter passed this test but had been identified as mentally unstable and unsuitable for military service in 2021.
• In response to this tragedy, the government now plans to institute several reforms, including stricter age requirements, more comprehensive psychological evaluations, improved data sharing, and narrower legal weapon classifications. The aim is to make it harder for individuals with potential red flags to acquire firearms, thereby preventing future tragedies.

Key Reforms for Tighter Gun Laws:

• Age Limit: The government is contemplating raising the minimum age for purchasing firearms, though the new age limit remains undetermined.
• Stricter Psychological Screenings: Under the proposed reforms, applicants for gun licenses will face more rigorous and thorough psychological evaluations.
• Data Sharing:enhanced data sharing between officials is on the cards to assist authorities in identifying warning signs and risk factors better.
• Limiting Weapon Availability: The classification of legal weapons may change, restricting the types of firearms available to civilians.
• Public Safety Oversight: A new oversight plan for public safety will be presented to the cabinet, with the aim of strengthening safety measures.

Apart from the shooting suspect's passing the previous psychological evaluation, authorities found discarded bomb plans and a non-functional pipe bomb in the attacker's apartment. Further investigation revealed he was socially isolated and heavily involved in violent video games[1][3][4]. The shortcomings in identifying such red flags have fueled the government's push for more stringent psychological screenings and better identification of potential warning signs[3].

Let us all stand together in solidarity with the Graz community during this difficult time, and hope for a safer future with strengthened gun laws.

Sources:

1. “Austrian Police Seize Package Bombs in Search of School Shooter's Home (2023)”. CNN
2. “Austrian School Shooting: Nine Killed in Graz; Gunman Also Dead”. BBC News (2023)
3. "Austria Plans Gun Law Reforms After School Shooting" Reuters (2023)
4. The proposed measures by Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) involve a focus on policy-and-legislation, including the tightening of gun laws, in response to the tragic school shooting in Graz that claimed the lives of 10 students, a teacher, and injured 12 others.
5. The government's response, which includes stricter age requirements, more comprehensive psychological evaluations, improved data sharing, and narrower legal weapon classifications, highlights the role of politics in addressing general-news crises such as the Graz school shooting.
6. Discussions around policy reforms following the Graz shooting also touch upon issues related to crime-and-justice and accidents, as the attacker was previously identified as mentally unstable and unsuitable for military service, and authorities found discarded bomb plans and a non-functional pipe bomb in his apartment.

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