Increase in gun ownership cards: Graz shooting spree causes fear in Vienna

Increase in gun ownership cards: Graz shooting spree causes fear in Vienna

After the tragic rampage in Graz, in which a young man killed eleven people with legally purchased weapons, the demand for firearms in Vienna has increased massively. Loud kosmo.at Over 40,000 people in the city are now registered as gun owners, who together hoard around 150,000 firearms.

Gun dealers are complaining about a sharp increase in registrations for gun licenses. One reason for this could be the general insecurity among the population, who often resort to self-defense after the dramatic events in Graz. For example, category C self-defense shotguns can be purchased from the age of 18 without special approval.

Changes in legislation

In view of the worrying developments, the federal government is planning to tighten gun laws. The new measures being considered include:

• Zugang zu Ergebnissen psychologischer Eignungstests für die Waffenbehörden
• Vorläufige Waffenverbote bei laufenden Ermittlungen zu häuslicher Gewalt
• Anhebung des Mindestalters für besonders gefährliche Schusswaffen von 21 auf 25 Jahre
• Die Befristung der Waffenbesitzkarte für Erstbesitzer auf acht Jahre

According to a report by courier.at Buyers of a Glock 19 that was used in the shooting must be at least 21 years old, show a gun ownership card and pass a psychological test. Rainer Kastner, a weapons psychologist, notes that many would-be gun owners often say they want to become sport shooters, while self-protection is often cited as the true motivation.

The requirements for obtaining a weapon ownership card are clear: proof of how you handle weapons as well as a psychological report on weapon reliability are required. However, Julia Wachter from the BÖP's Legal Psychology Section suggests that the current tests are outdated and do not offer clear guidelines as to the reliability of experts.

A look at the numbers

As of June 1, 2025, there were 374,141 registered gun owners across Austria, an increase of over 4,000 in just five months. In Vienna there are 40,464 people who own more than 150,144 firearms. What is critical is that the alleged perpetrator in Graz only had a gun ownership card, which did not authorize him to carry category B firearms - a gun passport would have been required.

According to information from orf.at Austria is considered one of the most peaceful countries in the world. But the subjective feeling of security has fallen sharply since the refugee crisis in 2015 and various global terrorist attacks. This combination created an unsafe atmosphere that probably motivated many people to purchase firearms. Changes in legislation often come after tragic events, and the need for more accurate and serious assessments should receive increasing attention.