Austria to Introduce Stricter Gun Laws Following Tragic Shooting Incident

In response to a tragic shooting incident in Graz, Austria, the country's Interior Minister has announced plans for a significant overhaul of the current gun laws. This announcement comes just a few months after a horrific event where a 21-year-old individual opened fire at his former school, resulting in the deaths of ten people and several others injured.

The proposed changes to the firearms legislation are described as the most comprehensive revision in the past three decades. Among the key adjustments is a proposal to raise the minimum age for gun ownership. The new legislation would allow individuals to possess handguns, such as pistols and revolvers, starting at the age of 25, up from the current minimum age of 21. Additionally, owners of long guns would need to be at least 21 years old and must possess a valid gun ownership card.

However, this increase in the minimum age for handgun ownership is expected to take effect in the first quarter of 2026, as it requires updates to the central firearms registry.

Another notable element of the proposed law includes stricter psychological evaluations for individuals applying for a gun ownership card. These assessments will be mandatory at the initial application stage and again five years thereafter. The evaluations will focus on the applicant's motivation for acquiring a firearm, their personal history, and relevant personality traits. Furthermore, the waiting period for purchasing a firearm will be extended from three days to four weeks to deter impulsive buying.

The Interior Minister emphasized the necessity of these changes, stating that the severity of the recent events demands a reevaluation of existing laws. Despite the push for stricter regulations, some criticism has emerged regarding the exemption of hunters from certain provisions of the new law.

The shooting incident in Graz, which occurred on June 10, 2025, has ignited a debate over Austria's gun laws, which are among the most permissive in Europe. Critics of the current regulations have pointed out that the psychological assessments required for gun ownership are insufficiently rigorous.

As Austria prepares to implement these legislative changes, the government aims to address public safety concerns and prevent similar tragedies in the future.