After Rampage in Graz: This is How Many Gun Owners There Are in Vienna

In Austria, the number of private gun owners has steadily increased. Already in the first five months of 2025, the number has risen from 369,953 to 374,141, an increase of more than 4,000 people, as the Ministry of the Interior announced upon APA request. Currently, 1,518,873 weapons, accessories, and magazines are owned by the domestic population (as of June 1). The most gun owners are in Lower Austria.

40,500 Gun Owners in Vienna

In the largest federal state, there are 97,513 people who own a total of 439,269 weapons. The fewest weapons are in Vorarlberg with 42,901 pieces, distributed among 11,895 owners. Upper Austria follows Lower Austria with the numbers, where 65,911 people own a total of 268,182 weapons. According to the Central Weapons Register, Styria follows (61,399 owners/232,268 weapons), Vienna (40,464/150,144), Carinthia (29,316/109,318), Tyrol (27,350/113,513), Salzburg (22,222/87,072), and Burgenland (18,071/76,206).

Most Weapons in Category C

The type of weapons is divided into three categories. Category A includes prohibited weapons and war material such as pump guns, machine guns, or disguised firearms, e.g., a shooting pen. Category B includes handguns, repeating shotguns, and semi-automatic firearms. Category C includes rifles and shotguns. There used to be a Category D. Due to an amendment to the Weapons Act in 2020, Categories C and D were merged, resulting in an increase in Category A weapons. As of June 1, 2025, of the 1.5 million registered weapons, 143,028 were assigned to Category A, 542,685 to Category B, and 833,160 to Category C.

Compared to the past three years, there have been increases in all areas. As of January 1, 2025, 1,498,893 weapons and 369,953 owners were registered (Category A: 140,887, Category B: 534,069, Category C: 823,937). On January 1, 2024, there were 1,451,656 weapons and 360,277 owners (Category A: 137,362, Category B: 512,670, Category C: 801,624) and on January 1, 2023, 1,399,708 weapons and 350,291 owners were registered (Category A: 131,165, Category B: 491,626, Category C: 776,917).

In 2020, the new amendment to the Weapons Act came into force, imposing numerous bans and restrictions on sports shooters and hunters. The most significant impact was the ban on large magazines for pistols (more than 20 rounds) and semi-automatic rifles (ten rounds), except for sports shooters who need them for certain competitions.

Alleged Gunman in Graz Only Had Gun Ownership Card

The alleged gunman in Graz did have a gun ownership card. However, this is merely a certificate that entitles one to acquire and possess, but not to carry firearms of Category B. The weapon must be transported unloaded in a locked container, for example, to the shooting range. A gun license is required to carry a weapon.

(APA/Red)

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