Shooting Rampage in Graz: Stricter Gun Laws and Millions in Aid for Affected Individuals Decided

After the rampage at BORG Dreierschützengasse in Graz, the government decided on a package of measures in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. There will be stricter gun laws, but also a compensation fund for those affected and the high school. There will be more flexible regulations for the graduates there. With this, the government is fulfilling its responsibility after the rampage in Graz, the party leaders were convinced.

Vice Chancellor Babler: Improvement in Psychological Assessments

Currently, it is much too easy to obtain weapons, said Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ). The perpetrator legally possessed the weapons used, although psychological abnormalities had been attested to him during the examination, he criticized. The results of this psychological examination should also be accessible to the weapons authority in the future. In the case of abnormalities, the possibility of a weapons ban of up to ten years should be created. Psychological assessments for weapons should also be improved. "Those who are dangerous should no longer possess weapons," summarized Babler.

Future Weapons Ban in Cases of Domestic Violence

In the future, a provisional weapons ban must also be issued when investigations related to domestic violence are initiated, Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ) is quoted in a statement. "And in the case of convictions in this area, a permanent ban will be imposed in the future."

Stocker: New Regulations for First-Time Gun Owners

The minimum age for acquiring particularly dangerous firearms will be raised from 21 to 25 years, said Stocker. When purchasing the first weapon, the waiting period will be extended to four weeks, only after which it will be handed over. The gun ownership card will be limited to eight years for first-time gun owners. Private gun sales should only take place with the involvement of a registered dealer. However, there should be no restrictions for hunters, as they exercise a very responsible handling of the weapon, said Stocker.

20 Million Euros for BORG Dreierschützengasse and Relatives of the Victims

A compensation fund of 20 million euros will be created. This will allow for quick and unbureaucratic assistance to affected families - for example, with funeral costs or through psychological support, explained Stocker. BORG Dreierschützengasse will also receive financial resources from it to cope with the consequences. The graduates of the high school are also being protected by the government. Those who want to forgo the oral graduation exam should still be able to receive a regular diploma, Stocker explained.

Number to be doubled: Increase also in school psychology

School psychology is to become the norm rather than the exception, and the number of school psychologists is therefore to be doubled in the next three years, according to the Chancellor. If students are facing dropping out of school or suspension, there should be a mandatory counseling session with the parents. If this is not complied with, sanctions are planned. Schools should also develop security concepts.

Criticism from the opposition: "more adjustments than tightenings"

For Green Party club chairman Werner Kogler, the announcements on the weapons law were "not sufficient tightenings, but rather adjustments. My question remains: Why does a private person need a weapon at all? We Greens want to reverse the principle: From freedom for weapons to freedom from weapons," said Kogler. "Absolutely disappointing and inadequate" is also the fact "that the expansion of school psychology is limited to already budgeted measures," said the club chairman.

There is also criticism from the FPÖ: "As feared, the government is relying more on show than on real improvements in this area as well," reacted FPÖ security spokesman Gernot Darmann to the planned tightenings. The presented measures are "vague and require precise formulation before they can be comprehensively assessed."

After misinformation and violated personal rights: Media funding under scrutiny

Babler also wants to focus on the responsibility of the media. The reporting on the rampage "was in some cases tactless, in some cases simply scandalous." For example, personal rights were violated, innocents were stigmatized, and false images were spread. "Not everything is appropriate just because it is allowed," said the media minister, who wants to look at funding and licensing criteria for operating audiovisual media services.

Nothing will bring back the ten people killed in the rampage, said Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP). However, lessons should be learned from this, because: "Our schools must remain safe places where our children can learn and grow without worry." Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) also emphasizes: "Such an act must not remain without consequences."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.