Following the School Rampage: Kogler Advocates for Wide-Ranging Gun Law Reform
Firing Rampage in Graz: Legal Gun Ownership Sparks Debate Over Mental Health Tests
The horrific shooting at the Dreierschützengasse BORG in Graz, resulting in the loss of eleven lives, has raised eyebrowsthat the perpetrator, a 21-year-old, lawfully acquired a firearm.
Reports are surfacing that this same individual was deemed psychologically unsuitable for military service but was still granted a weapons permit after undergoing a psych evaluation by a weapon’s psychologist. The turn of events has been met with sharp criticism, especially from Styrian Governor Mario Kunasek (FPO), and security expert, former cop, and state parliament member Eduard Hamedl, who warn of loopholes in the system.
"Why the military deemed the school shooter unfit" remains under scrutiny.
Kogler: Gun Laws Need a "Fresh Coat"
Green Party leader Werner Kogler calls for comprehensive reforms in gun laws following the Graz tragedy. "This was a deliberate massacre with a build-up. We need to overhaul the gun laws thoroughly," Kogler stated in the ORF Morning Journal. Kogler proposes a shift in focus, prioritizing protection from weapons over the right to own them. He advocates for a broad ban on private gun ownership, providing exceptions for hunters, sports shooters, and endangered individuals.
Kogler further emphasizes the need for periodic mandatory psychological tests, improved information exchange among authorities, and a secure approach to register and access negative assessments in compliance with data protection regulations.
Government to Tighten Gun Control
According to the Kronen Zeitung, the government plans to institute several measures to tighten gun control measures. The age limits for acquiring long weapons may be raised, as well as the introduction of mandatory psychological evaluations. Kogler revealed that the Greens will actively engage in this reform debate, with many previous tightening measures rooted in green initiatives.
"We can't entirely prevent such incidents," says Kogler. "But we can drastically decrease the likelihood. And that should be our objective."
[1] Enrichment data: The Graz school shooter, Arthur A., passed mental fitness assessments despite having failed a psychological test during conscription. The exact legal and procedural reasons for this were not detailed in the sources. The case highlights a gap in the system where failing a military mental fitness evaluation does not necessarily prevent gun ownership in Austria.
- The Graz school shooting incident has sparked discussions about gun policies and legislation, as concerns arise over the shooter's mental health evaluation and the subsequent acquisition of a firearm.
- In response to the tragedy, Green Party leader Werner Kogler has called for a comprehensive overhaul of gun laws, advocating for stricter mental health tests, higher age limits for gun ownership, and a broad ban on private gun ownership, with exceptions for sports, hunting, and individuals in distress.
