After Rampage in Graz: This is How Many Gun Owners There Are in Vienna

In Austria, the number of private gun owners has steadily increased. Already in the first five months of 2025, the number has risen from 369,953 to 374,141, an increase of more than 4,000 people, as the Ministry of the Interior announced upon APA request. Currently, 1,518,873 weapons, accessories, and magazines are owned by the domestic population (as of June 1). The most gun owners are in Lower Austria.

40,500 Gun Owners in Vienna

In the largest federal state, there are 97,513 people who own a total of 439,269 weapons. The fewest weapons are in Vorarlberg with 42,901 pieces, distributed among 11,895 owners. Upper Austria follows Lower Austria with the numbers, where 65,911 people own a total of 268,182 weapons. According to the Central Weapons Register, Styria follows (61,399 owners/232,268 weapons), Vienna (40,464/150,144), Carinthia (29,316/109,318), Tyrol (27,350/113,513), Salzburg (22,222/87,072), and Burgenland (18,071/76,206).

Most Weapons in Category C

The type of weapons is divided into three categories. Category A includes prohibited weapons and war material such as pump guns, machine guns, or disguised firearms, e.g., a shooting pen. Category B includes handguns, repeating shotguns, and semi-automatic firearms. Category C includes rifles and shotguns. There used to be a Category D. Due to an amendment to the Weapons Act in 2020, Categories C and D were merged, resulting in an increase in Category A weapons. Thus, as of June 1, 2025, of the 1.5 million registered weapons, 143,028 were attributed to Category A, 542,685 to Category B, and 833,160 to Category C.

Compared to the past three years, there have been increases in all areas. As of January 1, 2025, 1,498,893 weapons and 369,953 owners were registered (Category A: 140,887, Category B: 534,069, Category C: 823,937). On January 1, 2024, there were 1,451,656 weapons and 360,277 owners (Category A: 137,362, Category B: 512,670, Category C: 801,624) and on January 1, 2023, 1,399,708 weapons and 350,291 owners were registered (Category A: 131,165, Category B: 491,626, Category C: 776,917).

In 2020, the new amendment to the gun law came into effect, bringing numerous bans and restrictions for sport shooters and hunters. The most significant impact was the ban on large magazines for pistols (more than 20 rounds) and for semi-automatic rifles (ten rounds), except for sport shooters who need them for specific competitions.

Alleged Graz Gunman Only with Gun Ownership Card

The alleged gunman in Graz did have a gun ownership card. However, this is merely a document that permits the acquisition and possession, but not the carrying, of firearms in category B. The weapon must be transported unloaded in a locked container, for example, to the shooting range. A gun license is required to carry a weapon.

A gun ownership card (WBK) can be applied for from the age of 21. The prerequisite for this is the absence of a gun ban. Additionally, one needs a so-called gun license, which can be obtained at a shooting club or in specialized trade, by proving safe theoretical and practical handling of a pistol or revolver. A psychological test is also necessary. For hunters, neither is a prerequisite.

Hunters must only have a valid hunting license during the five-yearly inspection of safe storage, conducted by the police, while all others must acquire a new gun license within a few weeks.

For a gun license (WP), which permits actual carrying, the hurdles are significantly higher. Here, an actual need must be demonstrated - such as a particular threat. The responsible authorities have been very restrictive in this regard for decades. Hunters, on the other hand, can carry semi-automatic weapons and handguns with a valid hunting license and gun ownership card since the last amendment - but only in the course of hunting activities.

(APA/Red)

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