Austria plans stricter gun laws after deadly school shooting
- A former student carried out a shooting attack at a Graz school, resulting in the deaths of nine students and a teacher.
- Following the incident, Chancellor Christian Stocker announced plans to reform gun laws to address public safety.
- The move aims to implement stricter eligibility requirements and improve data-sharing between authorities.
Austria has been shaken by a tragic incident at the BORG Dreierschutzengasse high school in Graz, where a 21-year-old former student killed nine students and a teacher during an attack last week. This brutal event marks the deadliest post-war incident in the country and has raised significant concerns about the current state of gun laws. Following the shooting, which also resulted in the injury of eleven others, including two individuals still in intensive care, discussions regarding gun control have intensified within the political landscape of Austria. Investigators revealed that the shooter had become increasingly fascinated with previous school shootings, having developed this obsession over several years. Authorities are diligently examining approximately 30 social media accounts linked to the gunman to ascertain the motives driving his violent actions. Although the details of his planning and execution of the attack raise questions, the reason behind his specific choice of date remains ambiguous. The shooter reportedly exhibited careful planning, executing the assault within a mere seven minutes before taking his own life in a school bathroom. In light of this event, Chancellor Christian Stocker has pledged to implement stricter gun laws, citing the need for more responsible regulation of access to firearms. He acknowledged that Austria's gun laws are currently among the more liberal in the European Union, and as a result, he has signaled future changes to eligibility requirements for gun ownership, as well as enhanced oversight that will address potential risk groups. These prospective changes may even include raising the minimum age for purchasing firearms, representing a significant shift in policy aimed at preventing further acts of violence. Moreover, Stocker emphasized the need for increased psychological support in schools, recognizing the importance of addressing the emotional fallout from such a tragic event. In addition, the presence of police around schools is set to increase in the immediate future to ensure the safety of students until the academic year concludes. As Austria reflects on this harrowing tragedy, the collaboration between governmental authorities and educational institutions will be vital in mitigating fears and restoring a sense of security within the community.