School shooting in Graz: Shock about gun laws and demands for reforms

School shooting in Graz: Shock about gun laws and demands for reforms

Today is June 12, 2025 and a tragic incident is causing great consternation and intense discussions throughout Austria. A 21-year-old shot nine teenagers and a teacher at a school in Graz before committing suicide at the scene. Eleven other people were injured and the motive for his cruel act remains unclear. These terrible events cast a harsh light on Austrian gun laws, which have been hotly debated in the political arena ever since. As the nation unites in mourning, many are criticizing the current legal framework and calling for an overhaul.

Political reactions and demands

The political reaction was hard to miss. Communists and the Greens have already called for tightening gun laws, while the FPÖ is vehemently fighting these proposals. “That would only be symbolic politics and would cause general suspicion against innocent citizens,” was the tenor of the Freedom Party. The National Council is currently meeting to analyze the background and discuss preventive measures. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed concerns about the appropriateness of current gun laws during a memorial service for the victims in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral.

What's special about this case is that the perpetrator legally owned both a shotgun and a handgun. According to reports, he attended a shooting club less than three months before the crime, raising questions about gun safety. Official approval is required to purchase handguns in Austria, but not shotguns, which is seen by many as a potential risk.

The numbers speak for themselves

The underlying statistics make it clear that Austria has a high number of legal firearms per capita compared to international standards. There are an estimated 1.5 million legal firearms in circulation in the country and the number of gun owners is approximately 370,000. This puts Austria in a remarkable 12th place worldwide. A “Small Arms Survey” from 2017 showed that there are around 30 firearms per 100 inhabitants in Austria. In comparison, the hurdles for legal gun ownership in Germany are significantly stricter.

What is also interesting is that the Graz perpetrator bought his handgun, a Glock model, just a few days before the rampage. According to the managing director of the Viennese arms trade Euroguns, this was a “super disaster”, a worst-case scenario that has reignited the security debate in Austria.

Gun rights in discussion

The mayor of Graz and the Greens are calling for a general ban on weapons for private individuals. Franz Ruf, the General Director of Public Security, also recognizes the strictness of Austria's gun laws, but warns of possible gaps. The Greens also demand regular checks for gun owners to ensure stable and safe handling. “The gun law is too liberal in its current form,” criticized Paul Plener, head of the clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry.

The horse really seems to be hanging by its tail, because while access to weapons is regulated much more strictly in other countries, the question remains whether the existing laws in Austria meet current security needs. It remains to be seen how the political landscape will react to this incident and whether there will actually be a rethinking of gun law.

The future could be crucial for the safety of citizens and one can only hope that this tragedy was not in vain. With a clear commitment to stricter gun laws, Austria could take the first step towards a safer society.