Government Raises Minimum Age for Gun Purchases

The Austrian government is implementing significant changes to its gun laws in the wake of the tragic shooting incident at a school in Graz. During a press conference, the Chancellor acknowledged the profound impact of the event, stating that while no action can bring back the victims, the government is committed to learning from this tragedy.

As part of a comprehensive package of measures announced by the cabinet, the minimum age for acquiring category B firearms--such as handguns--will be increased from 21 to 25 years. Exceptions to this rule will be minimal. Additionally, the previously unregulated access to category C firearms will undergo a thorough reevaluation, with the aim of tightening regulations.

A new age-specific firearm card will be introduced for individuals under 25, which will require stricter psychological evaluations and a justification for the need to own a firearm. These measures are intended to ensure that access to firearms is closely linked to maturity, responsibility, and concern for safety. Existing psychological tests required for gun purchases will be revised to enhance their rigor, and a mandatory multi-step assessment will be introduced to prevent expedited processing of firearm ownership applications.

In response to these developments, the Vice Chancellor emphasized that individuals deemed dangerous should not possess firearms. Moreover, the government plans to address communication gaps between different agencies. Recent investigations revealed that the shooter had been deemed unfit for military service due to mental instability, but confidentiality laws prevented the military from sharing this information with the gun licensing authority, thus allowing the individual to legally obtain firearms.

To prevent such oversights in the future, legislation will facilitate the sharing of crucial information between agencies. This will allow for the possibility of imposing firearm bans of up to ten years based on concerning psychological evaluations. Furthermore, the cooling-off period between the expression of interest and the actual transfer of a firearm will be extended from three days to four weeks, with new firearm ownership permits being valid for a period of eight years. Renewal processes will be adjusted for those seeking to acquire additional firearms.

In addition to these legislative changes, the government has committed to enhancing mental health support in schools. Plans are in place to double the number of school psychologists over the next three years, reducing the ratio of students to psychologists from 6,000 to 3,000. This initiative aims to ensure that psychological support becomes a standard resource rather than an exception. Students facing suspension or dropout will be mandated to attend counseling sessions, with penalties for non-compliance.

While the government has announced stricter regulations regarding children's social media use, a consensus on specific age restrictions has yet to be reached. Discussions continue regarding the responsibilities of social media platforms in enforcing age limits effectively.

Additionally, the government has established a compensation fund to assist victims and their families, including covering funeral costs and providing psychological support. A total of 20 million euros will be allocated for immediate and efficient assistance, and financial support will also be extended to the affected school, BORG Dreierschützengasse in Graz. Graduating students will receive concessions for their final examinations, allowing them to complete their studies without the mandatory oral component if they choose to opt out.