After the killing spree in Graz: Government is planning drastic measures!

After the killing spree in Graz: Government is planning drastic measures!

On June 14, 2025, a tragic killing spree at a Graz school shook Austria. A 21-year-old opened the fire on students and teachers and killed nine students and a teacher. Within just seven minutes, the assassin caused devastating mischief before he committed suicide. In response to this massacre, the Austrian government announced an extensive package of measures to increase security in schools.

The planned package of measures, which is to be decided in the coming week, will be drawn up by the government parties ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS. The proposed measures include tightening the weapons law. This is intended to contain stricter aptitude requirements for gun ownership and restrictions on access to weapons for certain groups of people. The improvement of data exchange between the authorities is also discussed in order to be able to react better to potential dangers.

improvements in the school psychological area

Another important point of the package of measures is the increase in school psychological staff. This initiative aims to offer students better psychological care, which is of great importance in view of the recent incident. Mandatory discussions with school cancellations and stronger monitoring measures for endangered young people are further planned steps. Psychological aptitude tests should also become more meaningful to ensure that only suitable people get access to weapons.

"We have to do everything we can to repeat such a crime," said a spokesman for the government and emphasized the urgency of these reforms. Dealing with gun violence is not only a burning topic in Austria. Internationally, especially after the killing spree at the Parkland School in Florida, is also investing more in the psychological care of students. There, the authorities plan to provide additional funds for school psychologists to prevent violence against violence in schools. These developments show that the question of weapons control and psychological support are closely linked.

First reactions and critical voices

An initiative named #aufstehn has already collected 77,704 signatures for an immediate ban on firearms, which underpins the public desire for drastic measures. Critics of the previous Austrian weapons laws criticize that they are among the most loose in Europe. With over 1.5 million registered firearms in private ownership, the need for a reform of the law is considered urgent.

The Austrian government is under pressure to take effective measures to prevent firing attacks and at the same time to ensure the safety of the students. It remains to be seen how the detailed suggestions will be concretized and implemented in the coming week. The incident in Graz has made the urgent need for such reforms clear and could possibly have far -reaching changes in dealing with arms for arms and psychological care.

Links: vienna.at , Deutschlandfunk