Kogler wants a reversal of principles in gun ownership
"We need freedom from guns, not freedom for guns," Kogler said on the ORF "Press Hour." The Greens are the only ones who have been pushing for this for some time.
According to the Greens, private gun ownership should be "massively restricted," "except for a few justified exceptions like hunters or sport shooters," as Kogler explained. Overall, we need to move away from the idea that there is an omnipresent entitlement to guns. We need to move away from this "entitlement mentality," because "more guns do not create more security, usually more insecurity." After all, even with legal weapons, "much, much more violence is exerted than prevented," Kogler said: "So the principle is fundamentally flawed."
Kogler believes Greens are alone with this view
Kogler sees the Greens currently alone in this view. "We have always pushed for stricter regulations." For example, after the terrible terrorist attack in Vienna in 2020, both in terms of criminal law provisions and gun bans or eligibility requirements, there was a massive tightening at the urging of the Greens, according to Kogler. For instance, the state protection agency was given more options in connection with extremists. "That was a step forward." But also in the private sphere of violence, "some progress has been made," Kogler referred to a gun ban in conjunction with a restraining or entry ban.
Everything should have been expanded, according to the Greens, Kogler emphasized. "We have, of course, proposed much more." However, Kogler does not want to blame only the then coalition partner ÖVP for the failure, as the other parties in the National Council also did not support it. "Those who have proposed stricter regulations in all these areas, even if you want to go through them in detail, are the Greens," Kogler stressed.
Several measures necessary
The Greens have "always" pushed for higher age limits and insisted that no weapons should be acquired without psychological tests. Moreover, these tests should be conducted regularly and not just by one psychologist; rather, at least a four-eyes principle is needed. But more also needs to be done in "intercepting these phenomena," such as through psychological support or violence prevention in schools. Social questions and answers are "at least as important as the question of weapons."
Kogler is "tendentially" skeptical about security gates. Schools should "remain open houses," he argued: "It cannot look like a courthouse there." A thorn in Kogler's side are the - as he calls them - "antisocial media." Young people are being radicalized there, for example, via TikTok. "That is unbearable." Here, the existing tools like the Digital Services Act need to be "sharpened."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.