In the wake of the deadliest school shooting in Austrian history, which claimed the lives of nine students and a teacher, the Austrian government has unveiled a series of proposed changes to its gun ownership laws. On June 18, 2025, Chancellor Christian Stocker announced reforms designed to enhance the regulation of firearms in the country, emphasizing the need for a stronger approach to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Austrian Government Proposes Tougher Gun Control Measures Following School Shooting
Austrian Government Proposes Tougher Gun Control Measures Following School Shooting
Following a tragic school shooting in Graz, Austria, the government introduces new laws aimed at curbing gun ownership.
Among the proposed measures is an increase in the minimum age for owning certain types of firearms, such as handguns, which would now require purchasers to be at least 25 years old instead of the current 21. Additionally, potential gun owners would face a more rigorous psychological evaluation process, alongside a mandated four-week waiting period between the purchase and delivery of firearms for first-time buyers. Efforts will also be made to ensure that the findings from psychological assessments are more easily shared among relevant government agencies.
Despite the reforms, Chancellor Stocker acknowledged the limitations of legislative changes in the face of grief: “Nothing we do... will bring back the 10 people we lost last Tuesday,” he stated, while committing to learn from the recent tragedy.
The shooting suspect, a 21-year-old former student who has not been publicly identified due to privacy restrictions, took his own life after the attack. Reports indicate that he was known to have antisocial behavior and had previously failed a psychological assessment for military service. Nonetheless, he had legally acquired the firearms used in the attack – a modified Glock pistol and a shotgun – raising questions about existing gun control measures in Austria. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into the motives behind this tragic event, particularly his apparent obsession with previous school shootings.
Despite the reforms, Chancellor Stocker acknowledged the limitations of legislative changes in the face of grief: “Nothing we do... will bring back the 10 people we lost last Tuesday,” he stated, while committing to learn from the recent tragedy.
The shooting suspect, a 21-year-old former student who has not been publicly identified due to privacy restrictions, took his own life after the attack. Reports indicate that he was known to have antisocial behavior and had previously failed a psychological assessment for military service. Nonetheless, he had legally acquired the firearms used in the attack – a modified Glock pistol and a shotgun – raising questions about existing gun control measures in Austria. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities looking into the motives behind this tragic event, particularly his apparent obsession with previous school shootings.
