Sea of ​​Lights for Graz: Solidarity after the killing spree shakes the city

Sea of ​​Lights for Graz: Solidarity after the killing spree shakes the city

On June 11, 2025, a tragic killing spree in Graz occurred, in which a 21-year-old Austrian perpetrator killed ten people, including nine young people between the ages of 14 and 17, and 11 more people. The incident took place in the Federal Oberstepenrealgymnasium (Borg) Dreierschützengasse, which was closed until June 16 to concentrate on trauma and crisis management. The first message received around 10 a.m., whereupon special units and around 300 police forces quickly moved to the evacuation and securing of the building. The crime was recognized by the entire nation with a minute's silence at 10 a.m., and three -day state mourning was announced. The last information confirms that all injuries are in a stable state, with many in intensive care units. The background and psychological factors of the perpetrator once again raise questions about gun ownership in Austria, since he legal shotgun and a fist firing weapon legal, but at the same time found plans for an explosive attack in his apartment.

a light for the victims

In response to the killing spree, the Danube Island Festival family has shown itself affected, the thoughts and sympathy of which apply to victims and their relatives. On Friday, June 20, 2025, at 9:58 p.m., a sea of ​​lights will take place at all stages of the Danube Island Festival to commemorate this tragedy. The Danube Island Festival, the largest open-air festival in Europe, has stood for peace, solidarity and empathy for 42 years. All visitors are invited to take part in this emotional moment. The organizers, including SPÖ Vienna, Pro Event Team for Vienna and Wiener Kulturservice, emphasize that the festival also sets a sign of social cohesion and respectful interaction in difficult times.

gun ownership and possible reforms

The killing spree raises questions about weapons legislation in Austria, which is discussed again on the basis of the incident. The perpetrator had legal access to his weapons, which shows that the existing regulations are not sufficient to identify dangers. In Austria, future gun owners have to meet strict criteria, including psychological reports. Experts such as the weapon psychologist Rainer Kastner point out that many people who apply for a gun license often state self -protection as a motive, although legislation should promote sports shooters. The Mayor of Graz therefore calls for stricter weapons laws and a general ban on weapons for private individuals.

The weapon law provisions require evidence in dealing with weapons and the presentation of a psychological report on weapons. However, there are considerable concerns about the quality of these assessments that are criticized by experts. Julia Wachter, head of the legal psychology department, emphasizes that outdated tests and insufficient one -on -one discussions are the order of the day in many cases. Such defects in the system could lead to further tragedies.

Austria is considered the third most peaceful country in the world, but the subjective well -being of the population has increased since the 2015 refugee crisis. The number of arms law documents rose from 2014 to 2022 from 225,000 to almost 309,000, which underlines the urgency of a reform. Tragic events such as the killing spree could have the potential to finally start the necessary legal changes.