Psychologist warns: A test is not enough for gun release!

Psychologist warns: A test is not enough for gun release!

On June 12, 2025, Austria was shaken by a tragic killing spree at a school in Graz, in which ten people lost their lives. Relatives, educators and young people face the challenge of redesigning their everyday life, while the emergency psychologist Barbara Juen from the Austrian Red Cross coordinates the processing on site. Juen describes the mental shocks of the affected and the associated needs. Many young people try to protect themselves by distraction, while parents and teachers are looking for understanding and support.

The mourning process for those affected includes farewells, rituals and funerals, whereby the return to everyday school life is perceived as particularly challenging and triggers great fears. Juen emphasizes the importance of "recovering emotionally" the school building, which requires small steps and rituals. The need for school psychologists, school social workers and school doctors is high, but Juen criticizes the current insufficient care in Austrian schools.

mental illnesses as a risk factor

Behind the amo runs are often complex psychosocial relationships. Studies show that mental illnesses are a risk factor for violence, but not the sole reason. According to Lisa Pescara-Kovach, a professor of educational psychology, social problems, loneliness and the desire for attention are often crucial. This perspective directs the discussion from the mere search for sharper weapons laws to a more holistic approach.

Responsibility for such acts is often pushed on mental disorders. Only 25 percent of the gunners between 2000 and 2013 had a diagnosed mental illness, which further complicated the debate about the influence of arms laws and mental health. A comprehensive risk assessment that includes all relevant factors could have a preventive effect, especially when it comes to access to weapons.

weapons law and mental illnesses

In the course of the ongoing discussion about weapons law in Germany and Austria, Interior Minister of the Bund and the countries have questioned the appropriateness of the existing regulations. The assassin of Hanau gave an impetus, whose mental constitution could not be clearly assessed. The reliability of gun owners is currently being checked every three years, but many experts see this system as inadequate.

The need to update the law is required by both the interior ministers and psychologists. The new weapons law, which has been in force for a year, has made a first step towards sharper controls, but further measures are urgently required. This also includes the discussion about a weapons ban on mentally ill people. Juen also emphasized that existing psychological tests for buying weapons are often not sufficient. It calls for several test periods and more modern methods to ensure a more comprehensive examination of the applicants.

The fight against Corona pandemic currently has priority, but the meaning and urgency of these topics remain undisputed. A better cooperation between health authorities, police and weapons authorities as well as measures to faster of possible extremists are central concerns in the impending discussions of the Interior Minister.

The demands resulting from these tragic incidents are clear: a deep examination of mental health is indispensable when it comes to better protecting society and preventing future tragedies. Progress in the stigmatization of mental illnesses are recognizable, but there is a lot to do to make real changes in society and the system.

For more information, read the reports from Oe24 , DW and Alle-schuetzenvereine.de .