A light in the darkness: Graz mourns the victims of violence

A light in the darkness: Graz mourns the victims of violence

On June 15, 2025, Graz, the author's hometown, is in a state of shock and sadness. A violent act claimed the lives of ten people when the gunman opened fire with two legally owned weapons. This terrible situation not only affected the residents of Graz, but also triggered nationwide discussions about gun laws and security concepts. How oe24 reports, there are increasing calls for the need for stricter gun laws and more comprehensive psychological testing.

The tragedy has shaken the Graz community, but there is also strong solidarity and a remarkable willingness to help in the city. The people are known for their joy of life and the special way they treat each other; They don't just dance and stand at the bar, which shapes the cultural identity of their hometown. Despite the trauma, many hope that the people of Graz will soon be able to return to their usual joy of life.

Security debate in Austria

The discussion about access to weapons in Austria is not new, but it has become more urgent after the shooting. Critics such as psychiatrist Jutta Leth complain that the psychological reports used to issue gun ownership cards are often based on self-reports and are therefore not sufficiently informative. Loud The press These reports are available quickly – often within a few hours – which makes access to weapons easier.

In Austria, potential gun owners must meet a number of requirements: They must be a reliable citizen of the European Economic Area, at least 21 years old and able to provide credible justification for purchasing the weapon. Interestingly, many applicants say they want to become a sport shooter, but self-protection is often cited as the main motive, as weapons psychologist Rainer Kastner describes. This raises questions about the seriousness of the applications.

The challenges of psychological reports

A central problem in the current debate is the quality of psychological tests. Julia Wachter, head of the BÖP's legal psychology section, has criticized the use of outdated tests that do not meet the required standards. The measurability of weapon psychological reliability is unclear because there is no clear definition of what exactly should be tested. This leads to some experts carrying out mass testing in which several people fill out questionnaires at the same time, without individual anamnesis discussions. Such practices have already been reported to the ministry, but without significant changes, such as courier reported.

The discussion about gun laws continues to be shaped by the painful realization that changes to the law often only occur after tragic events. The Graz disaster has once again highlighted the urgent need for action and stimulated the entire society to think. It remains to be hoped that policymakers will respond to the increasing calls for rigorous security measures.