Austria, one of the world’s safest nations, has been left in shock following a school shooting in Graz that claimed the lives of ten people. As the country mourns, a fierce debate has reignited over its gun legislation.
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The attack, carried out by a 21-year-old former pupil, marks the deadliest mass shooting in Austria since the Second World War. The incident has shaken the Alpine nation of 9.2 million people, typically known for its low crime rates and peaceful society, as ranked by the Global Peace Index.
In the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s shooting, demand for firearms and weapons training has surged. Markus Schwaiger, a gun dealer in Vienna who also runs shooting courses, told AFP, “You can’t imagine how many people have signed up for shooting courses.” He believes the sudden interest stems from fears that gun laws could soon be tightened.
Austria currently has over 1.5 million registered firearms held by approximately 370,000 individuals. The country’s gun culture, particularly strong in rural areas where hunting and sports shooting are popular, has long been a part of Austrian life.
According to Aaron Karp, a small arms expert and contributor to the Small Arms Survey, Austria is among the European countries with the highest number of firearms per capita. “Austria has a strong gun culture,” he noted, especially in regions rich in game.
This culture is also reflected in the success of domestic manufacturers like Glock, whose pistols are internationally renowned. Since 2015, the number of registered firearms in the country has increased by more than 600,000.
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Schwaiger attributes part of this rise to the growing influence of right-wing populism. “For twenty years, right-wing populism has been scaring people,” he said. “Every crisis causes sales to skyrocket.”
The recent attack has laid bare potential failings in Austria’s gun licensing system. Although the gunman had previously failed the psychological tests required for mandatory military service and was deemed “unfit,” he nonetheless managed to acquire a firearms licence and legally purchase both a pistol and a shotgun.
“He obviously found a gun dealer and a psychologist who didn’t look too closely,” Schwaiger remarked. “There is still too much leeway.”
Karp acknowledges that Austria’s psychological assessments are “very good” in theory but suggests that gaps in enforcement and oversight remain problematic.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has vowed changes, stating, “After such an act of madness… there must be consequences and changes.” In response, the opposition Green Party has proposed a bill to strengthen Austria’s gun control laws.
Authorities are also planning to consult with other European nations that have faced similar tragedies, including France, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
A 2020 study published in European Psychiatry noted a correlation between rising firearm numbers and increased violent deaths in Austria. While the country did experience a decline in gun-related violence following stricter controls introduced during its accession to the EU in 1995, this trend reversed after the 2008 financial crisis, as public anxiety grew.
The school shooting has not only reignited a national conversation about gun ownership but also highlighted the challenges of balancing civil liberties with public safety. As Austria looks to its European neighbours for guidance, the coming months could prove pivotal in shaping the country’s approach to firearms regulation.
