Gun alarm in Angern: cyclist flees after gun incident!

Gun alarm in Angern: cyclist flees after gun incident!

An incident occurred on Friday morning in Angern an der March, Gänserndorf district, which shook up the security situation in the region. A cyclist dropped a loaded pistol magazine just a few meters from an elementary school and an adjacent kindergarten. An attentive community employee observed the incident and immediately alerted the police, who responded immediately. The officials cordoned off the affected area and secured the schools, while the children had to stay in the building until the end of the school day, as [oe24](https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/niederoesterreich/ladenes-magazin-wieder- Waffen-alarm-vor-schule/637146474) reports.

At 11 a.m., even after school had ended, there was still a police presence at the nearby bus stop. The suspect, a 21-year-old Slovakian, fled after the incident across the nearby border into Slovakia, more precisely into the neighboring municipality of Záhorská Ves. Mayor Robert Meißl (SPÖ) confirmed that the man was already known to the Austrian police. The ongoing investigation raises questions because it is currently unclear whether the suspect continued to carry a weapon, according to [Heute](https://www.heute.at/s/ Waffenalarm-vor-schule-polizei-riegelt-gebaeude-ab-120113845).

Security measures and public reactions

The security measures around the elementary school and kindergarten were taken extremely seriously. While the children were in the building, police remained active and monitored the area. A local resident reported that he had seen the suspect on a bicycle as he crossed the border and also observed that he had disappeared on a ferry. This situation has caused a wave of uncertainty among residents, especially since the school shooting in Graz, which increased fears of gun violence.

Austria has strict regulations regarding the handling of weapons, which are set out in the Weapons Act and regulate the possession, carrying and storage of weapons. These laws are intended to ensure safety and a sense of responsibility when handling weapons. The regulations, which began in the 19th century, were repeatedly adjusted due to various political upheavals and Austria's EU membership. According to [steirische-wirtschaft](https://steirische-wirtschaft.at/2025/02/25/ Waffengesetz-oesterreich/), different categories apply to weapons in Austria, with the categorization ranging from prohibited weapons to weapons requiring a permit.

Gun ownership and public safety

In order to be able to legally own a weapon, applicants usually have to meet several requirements, such as being of legal age, proof of expertise and a clean police record. In addition, a psychological assessment may be required to ensure that the applicant can handle weapons responsibly. Violations of gun laws can result in fines or imprisonment, underscoring the importance of personal responsibility for gun owners.

The current events surrounding the incident in Angern an der March shed light on the relevance of clear and strict gun laws in Austria. The ongoing investigation into the case of the suspected cyclist will also be crucial to restoring security in the region.