Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf: Municipality Demands Full Clarification

Just over a week after the large-scale police operation due to a weapons exercise on a farm in Vorchdorf (Gmunden district), the municipality has issued a cross-party statement to send a joint signal "that the democratic forces in Vorchdorf stand united for safety, cohesion, and responsibility," the initiative announced in a press release on Tuesday.

The cross-party statement was developed on the initiative of the SPÖ Vorchdorf together with representatives of the ÖVP, FPÖ, Liste Vorchdorf, the Greens, and the NEOS. The incidents, involving "presumably 23 people with a total of around 50 firearms," have caused great concern in the community. "We therefore demand a complete and transparent investigation of the events as well as a thorough examination of all legal issues by the competent authorities."

"Clear Social Signal"

"Furthermore, a clear social signal is needed: - that weapons exercises outside of secured facilities have no place in our community, - that no space is given to radical or violence-oriented tendencies - regardless of which political direction they come from, - and that safety, family-friendliness, and cohesion remain unshakeable values in Vorchdorf," it continued. Moreover, traditional, sports, and historical shooting clubs make an important contribution to community life and are responsible for remaining vigilant and not giving room to extremist tendencies.

Municipality Demands Investigation After Weapons Exercise in Vorchdorf

A disciplinary procedure was initiated on Monday against the army officer who was reported to the public prosecutor's office for resisting state authority during the incident on October 11, but this is on hold until a decision is made regarding the criminal complaint. He has been on leave from September 18 until the end of the year, after being on sick leave from 2020 to June 2025, according to a ministry spokesperson. According to the Wels public prosecutor's office, the review of the police report on the shooting exercises will take some time. It needs to be clarified whether all participants were allowed to carry the weapons on the premises with their firearms licenses or whether weapons permits would have been required.

(APA/Red)

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