In brief
In light of a deadly school shooting in Graz, which claimed the lives of nine students and a teacher, Austria is stepping up its gun control measures. Following the tragic event, the Austrian government announced new proposals designed to restrict private gun ownership significantly.
These measures include increasing the minimum age to purchase certain firearms, particularly handguns, from 21 to 25 years old. The proposals also aim to fortify the psychological testing requirements for gun buyers and implement a four-week waiting period between purchasing a firearm and its delivery. Additionally, the government plans to facilitate better sharing of psychological assessment results among agencies to enhance overall safety.Chancellor Christian Stocker acknowledged the pain of the loss, stating, “Nothing we do will bring back the 10 people we lost...But we will learn from this tragedy.” The suspect, a former student, was noted for his antisocial behavior and even had failed a required psychological evaluation for military service. Unfortunately, he still managed to legally obtain a Glock pistol and a modified shotgun, which he used in the attack before taking his own life. As Austria mourns, the government is committed to making meaningful reforms to prevent future incidents.
