Repeated Weapon Thefts at the Federal Army
For instance, this year two assault rifles of the model StG77 were stolen, according to the response to a parliamentary inquiry by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) to the Greens. However, most incidents are caused by "misconduct" or "carelessness", it says.
Assault Rifle and Flare Gun Missing
Two StG77 assault rifles produced by Steyr were stolen on June 16, 2024, from the Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, which is located in the Towarek School Barracks in Enns (Upper Austria). According to the list of the Ministry of Defense, one of them was found again by the State Criminal Police Office of Carinthia, the other one was not. According to the list, a flare gun 57 was also stolen in the same incident, which is still missing.
Weapon Thefts are Internally Investigated
In all cases, internal investigations were carried out by the BMLV, and the law enforcement authorities were also active. According to the ministry, the suspects were reported. For the affected persons, "activities in security-sensitive areas with assignment restrictions were made impossible, unless discharges or dismissals were ordered due to the act", it also says in the response to the inquiry by David Stögmüller, spokesman for the Greens for National Defense.
In the case of the still missing StG77, investigations are ongoing, Tanner reported. Also still unresolved is a case from June 19, 2024, at the Pioneer Battalion 1 in the Villach garrison. Here, several weapon parts for the assault rifle commonly used in the army were stolen. A P80 Glock pistol was also stolen last year during a burglary at the Vienna Military Command's barracks guard, but it has since been recovered.
Ammunition Also Found in Private Homes
But not only the weapons themselves, ammunition from the federal army has also repeatedly gone missing. For example, in July 2024, six pieces of 5.56 mm caliber were found at the residential address of a military employee. The year before, even 400 9-millimeter cartridges were found at a private address of a soldier.
Weapon Thefts "Huge Risk to Public Safety"
"Every loss of a weapon is alarming and concerning - every stolen weapon is one too many," Stögmüller commented on the response to the inquiry to the APA. Especially weapons like the StG77 pose a huge risk to public safety in the wrong hands. "How can it be that a machine gun simply disappears and no one knows who has it? It's not a pack of gum that's being stolen here, but a weapon that poses a real danger." The results of the parliamentary inquiry show for the Green Party that there is particularly a need for improvement in dealing with weapons and ammunition abroad and during exercises.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.