Army-rejected shooter in Graz deemed mentally unstable
In the tragic events of June 10, 2025, the Austrian town of Graz witnessed its bloodiest mass shooting post-war, claiming the lives of ten innocent souls, marking a turning point in the nation's history and sparking a heated debate surrounding its gun laws.
The Amok Runner, a 21-year-old Austrian, had initially failed the Austrian Federal Army's psychological fitness test in 2021 but passed a psychological test needed for a weapons permit in 2025. The perpetrator was reportedly a dedicated player of ego-shooter games and led a reclusive life. Despite this, no concrete motive has been discovered.
The grim incident unfolded at his former school where, armed with a pistol, a sawn-off shotgun, and a hunting knife, he wreaked havoc for seven minutes before taking his own life. The school responded admirably, as classrooms were locked, and students and teachers attempted to barricade doors.
In the aftermath, eleven individuals were left injured, most of whom were attended in intensive care units. Remarkably, all victims' health conditions are now stable. The Stephansdom in Vienna saw a gathering for a memorial service, featuring the Federal President, the Federal Chancellor, representatives from both religious and political spheres, offering comfort and solace to the victims' families and acquaintances.
Austria’s Weapons Act categorizes firearms into four groups—A, B, C, and D. Category B weapons require authorization and permits, while C and D weapons necessitate registration. Austrians have been found to possess guns at a higher rate than most European nations, with approximately 30 guns per 100 residents.
Post this tragedy, the discourse surrounding gun policy has intensified. While the Communist Party and the Greens advocate for stricter regulations, the right-wing FPO is resisting such changes. The Government has announced plans to tighten gun laws, focusing on stricter eligibility criteria, age requirements, and adjustments in how certain weapons are treated.
Government plans include increased psychological expertise and support in schools, more police officers at schools, better data exchange, and improved measures for at-risk individuals. However, storage and transportation of weapons and ammunition will not see any significant changes.
As Austria's gun policy finds itself at a critical juncture, reforms are forthcoming, aiming to address the ease with which certain weapons can be obtained, and the monitoring of at-risk individuals, offering a path toward a safer, more secure future for all its citizens. Utterly disheartened by the Amok Run, Austria is left to confront the harsh reality of its own volatility.
Mental health and science became key topics in the heated debates that followed the tragic mass shooting in Graz, Austria, as experts questioned the psychological evaluation processes that allowed the perpetrator to obtain a weapons permit despite his initial failure in a fitness test.
In an effort to prevent similar incidents in the future, the government's proposed reforms include increasing psychological expertise and support in schools, aiming to identify and assist at-risk individuals, a vital aspect of promoting health-and-wellness and mental-health for the nation's citizens.
