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Weapons ban in Vienna: security through strict measures!
Vienna's police chief is calling for a nationwide ban on weapons. Violent crime is falling, but the knife problem remains central.
Weapons ban in Vienna: security through strict measures!
In Vienna, the violent crime situation has improved slightly in recent months, especially in the newly introduced gun ban zones. Police Chief Gerhard Pürstl reported a total of 118 banned weapons and weapon-like items, including 80 knives, confiscated since the measures came into force in Favoriten. These developments show that the “scene” adapted and the investigation of crimes – especially in the area of stabbings and public confrontations – was advanced, as undocumented sources such as vienna.at reported.
Pürstl also expressed vehement support for an entire ban on weapons in Austria, especially in public spaces, in order to further increase the safety of citizens. “Where people live together in a small space, no one should walk around with a knife,” was his clear message. While the regulations for gun-prohibited zones are taking effect, the police have announced that they will continue to place great emphasis on safety in public spaces in 2025, especially in busy places such as train stations, where there is often unrest. This was reinforced by Pürstl, who saw the need to strengthen people's subjective sense of security, since “statistics alone cannot eliminate the feeling of insecurity,” as did the The press reported.
Innovative approaches to fighting crime
With a record 2,500 new additions to the police force, the Vienna executive will focus more on training and integrating new forces this year in order to maintain staffing levels. Pürstl sees this approach as essential in order to effectively meet the challenges of increasing acts of violence, especially uncontrolled violence against minors. The police chief emphasized the need for educational measures to make the best possible use of the potential of these people in the existing social context, instead of exclusively prosecuting them under criminal law.
With regard to the weapons problem, controls and preventive measures continue to be implemented, but the call for a uniform ban on weapons throughout the country remains a central topic in the discussions about the security strategy in Austria.