Following the shooting spree in a Graz school with several fatalities on Tuesday, there are initial calls for stricter gun laws. Graz Mayor Elke Kahr (KPÖ) and the Greens are calling for a ban on weapons for private individuals, while the FPÖ strictly opposes tightening the gun laws. The governing parties stated that mourning is currently the focus, but the government is discussing further steps.

Graz City Leader Wants Weapon Ban for Private Individuals

Gun licenses are issued too quickly, Kahr said on Tuesday evening in ORF's "ZIB 2". Only the executive should carry weapons, in her opinion. Exceptions for hunting and sports could be considered, according to the federal KPÖ, which supports the initiative. Green National Council member Meri Disoski also spoke out in favor of a ban on firearms for private individuals in the Ö1 "Mittagsjournal". However, there is currently no parliamentary majority for this. In a statement to the APA, Disoski described the Austrian gun law as one of the most liberal in Europe with obvious gaps: "Whether someone is psychologically reliable or dangerous is completely inadequately or not at all checked."

The FPÖ holds a diametrically different opinion: The existing gun law is one of the strictest in Europe in terms of regulations, checks, and official controls. A tightening would be "more pure symbolic politics than an effective measure against crime" and could be interpreted as mistrust and a general suspicion towards law-abiding citizens, it was said in a statement. There is no clear evidence that stricter gun laws automatically lead to more security. "No law in the world" could prevent tragic events like the one in Graz.

Governing Parties Show No Preference

ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS showed no preference. Currently, mourning for the victims is the focus, all governing parties told the APA. On Thursday, the National Security Council will meet to analyze the background of the shooting spree. According to the ÖVP, preventive measures for the future should be developed based on this. The government is currently discussing substantive derivations, including the topic of gun law, according to the Social Democrats. However, in the person of Klagenfurt's Deputy Mayor Ronald Rabitsch, there was already a call from the SPÖ for a general ban on weapons for private individuals.

(APA/Red)

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