Poll: 74% (!!!) of Austrians support a total ban on private firearm ownership, after 11 were killed in a school shooting last week here.

[Tender Branson]

The poll asked if citizens support a total ban on private firearms, with exceptions just for police/hunters/sport shooters and certain other professions that require guns.

74% support a complete private ban
21% are opposed (I belong to this small minority)

Ministerrat fixiert strengere Waffenregeln – das kommt | Heute.at

Strengere Waffenregeln nach Grazer Amoklauf: 74 % der Österreicher unterstützen ein Verbot für Private. Ministerrat beschließt neue Gesetze.

www.heute.at

All party voters support a ban by huge margins, Green and Liberal voters with more than 90%, Conservative and Social Democratic voters with more than 80% and even Trumpian far-right FPÖ voters by 57-39.

76% of women and 71% of men.

77% of young people under 30 - and 69% of middle-aged people - and 78% of old people over 60.

81% of higher-educated people and 70% of lower-educated people.

 

[Tender Branson]

This means that Austrian voters would favour much more restrictive measures on gun ownership than what the centrist government unveiled on Wednesday.

The government will restrict access to firearms for private purposes, by increasing the minimum age to 25 for handguns (but keep 18 as minimum age for hunting rifles). More and better psychological tests to receive a firearms license (written tests and personal talks with a psychiatrist, instead of only an easy written test) and a longer waiting period for gun purchases of 4 weeks instead of just 3 days.

But no outright ban.

 

[Mycroft]

The poll asked if citizens support a total ban on private firearms, with exceptions just for police/hunters/sport shooters and certain other professions that require guns.

74% support a complete private ban
21% are opposed (I belong to this small minority)

Ministerrat fixiert strengere Waffenregeln – das kommt | Heute.at

Strengere Waffenregeln nach Grazer Amoklauf: 74 % der Österreicher unterstützen ein Verbot für Private. Ministerrat beschließt neue Gesetze.

www.heute.at

All party voters support a ban by huge margins, Green and Liberal voters with more than 90%, Conservative and Social Democratic voters with more than 80% and even Trumpian far-right FPÖ voters by 57-39.

76% of women and 71% of men.

77% of young people under 30 - and 69% of middle-aged people - and 78% of old people over 60.

81% of higher-educated people and 70% of lower-educated people.

Knees tend to jerk in Austria, too...right?

 

[Tender Branson]

It's not surprising that support for an outright gun ban would increase a lot after such a school massacre, but three quarter support is stunning, I expected 60% or something ...

 

[Grand Mal]

It's not surprising that support for an outright gun ban would increase a lot after such a school massacre, but three quarter support is stunning, I expected 60% or something ...

Is there hunting in Austria?
My opinion, speaking as a Canadian, hunting is the only reason to own a firearm.

 

[Tender Branson]

Is there hunting in Austria?

Yes, lots of hunting. 60% of Austria are forests after all.

Hunters are a big and important constituency of the conservative ÖVP, the chancellor's party.

So, by keeping the minimum age for future hunters and rifles at 18 (instead of the higher proposed age limit of 25 for handguns), they did not piss off their important voters.

According to the poll though, 85% of their own voters would support a handgun ban too. So even the conservative voters would be stricter than their party.

Handgun owners are more likely a constituency of the far-right FPÖ, but the poll says even their voters want a handgun ban for private people. So there's universal support for that among the population.

 

[Tender Branson]

My opinion, speaking as a Canadian, hunting is the only reason to own a firearm.

Not necessarily in my opinion:

Many private people also want to get a handgun or several of them legally, to protect themselves and their family from home invasions, or because they collect such various handguns like post stamps.

 

[Grand Mal]

Not necessarily in my opinion:

Many private people also want to get a handgun or several of them legally, to protect themselves and their family from home invasions, or because they collect such various handguns like post stamps.

I'm surprised. I don't know anyone who thinks they need a handgun for protection.
I know two people who own handguns, both ex-military. One guy still shoots in competitions, the other guy just because.
But I would have no issue with hunting with a handgun.

 

[Allan]

Is there hunting in Austria?
My opinion, speaking as a Canadian, hunting is the only reason to own a firearm.

And sport shooting.

 

[Allan]

I don't know anyone who thinks they need a handgun for protection.

Neither do I. I guess none of our friends are cowards.

 

[Questerr]

Knees tend to jerk in Austria, too...right?

For real.

They need to have dozens of mass shooting each year and still have their conservatives refuse to do anything but offer thoughts and prayers and laws against trans people.

 

[soylentgreen]

Not necessarily in my opinion:

Many private people also want to get a handgun or several of them legally, to protect themselves and their family from home invasions, or because they collect such various handguns like post stamps.

Yet every study on burglary shows that a home is far more protected by using good locks , good lighting system, burglar alarms and even having a dog. And making it obvious that the house has these things. A thief will look for an easier target if they see these kind of defenses. Where as the thief will not know if you have a gun and the result is more likely to be a fight for your life rather than scaring the thief away with obvious alarm systems.

 

[SkyChief]

Austria should ban ALL types of firearms. No Austrian has any constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Ban 'em ALL.

Problem solved.

 

[Redress]

The poll asked if citizens support a total ban on private firearms, with exceptions just for police/hunters/sport shooters and certain other professions that require guns.

74% support a complete private ban
21% are opposed (I belong to this small minority)

Ministerrat fixiert strengere Waffenregeln – das kommt | Heute.at

Strengere Waffenregeln nach Grazer Amoklauf: 74 % der Österreicher unterstützen ein Verbot für Private. Ministerrat beschließt neue Gesetze.

www.heute.at

All party voters support a ban by huge margins, Green and Liberal voters with more than 90%, Conservative and Social Democratic voters with more than 80% and even Trumpian far-right FPÖ voters by 57-39.

76% of women and 71% of men.

77% of young people under 30 - and 69% of middle-aged people - and 78% of old people over 60.

81% of higher-educated people and 70% of lower-educated people.

What third world countries think is not really relevant to me.

 

[Tender Branson]

What third world countries think is not really relevant to me.

Austria is generally NOT seen as a third world country.

But among the 20-30 most developed out of the 200 ...

 

[Cosmo]

Yet every study on burglary shows that a home is far more protected by using good locks , good lighting system, burglar alarms and even having a dog. And making it obvious that the house has these things. A thief will look for an easier target if they see these kind of defenses. Where as the thief will not know if you have a gun and the result is more likely to be a fight for your life rather than scaring the thief away with obvious alarm systems.

I'd say yes, a house equipped with reinforced steel doors, concrete walls, and level 10 bullet resistant glass would provide superior protection to a gun in case of a burglary, but not everyone has hundreds of thousands of dollars to build themselves a near-bunker. A shotgun is $200-$300.

 

[Sweden]

The poll asked if citizens support a total ban on private firearms, with exceptions just for police/hunters/sport shooters and certain other professions that require guns.

74% support a complete private ban
21% are opposed (I belong to this small minority)

Ministerrat fixiert strengere Waffenregeln – das kommt | Heute.at

Strengere Waffenregeln nach Grazer Amoklauf: 74 % der Österreicher unterstützen ein Verbot für Private. Ministerrat beschließt neue Gesetze.

www.heute.at

All party voters support a ban by huge margins, Green and Liberal voters with more than 90%, Conservative and Social Democratic voters with more than 80% and even Trumpian far-right FPÖ voters by 57-39.

76% of women and 71% of men.

77% of young people under 30 - and 69% of middle-aged people - and 78% of old people over 60.

81% of higher-educated people and 70% of lower-educated people.

A majority opinion that speaks well of Austrians'common sense. You would do well to listen.

 

[Decypher]

I'd say yes, a house equipped with reinforced steel doors, concrete walls, and level 10 bullet resistant glass would provide superior protection to a gun in case of a burglary, but not everyone has hundreds of thousands of dollars to build themselves a near-bunker. A shotgun is $200-$300.

How much for a couple of deadbolts and a doorcam? $50 maybe.

 

[soylentgreen]

I'd say yes, a house equipped with reinforced steel doors, concrete walls, and level 10 bullet resistant glass would provide superior protection to a gun in case of a burglary, but not everyone has hundreds of thousands of dollars to build themselves a near-bunker. A shotgun is $200-$300.

And as usual one can only expect a really stupid way of doing something that most people do quite sensibly.

 

[Cosmo]

How much for a couple of deadbolts and a doorcam? $50 maybe.

How are those going to stop someone from kicking in the door or breaking the window?

 

[Cosmo]

And as usual one can only expect a really stupid way of doing something that most people do quite sensibly.

Your home's structural strength for purposes of resisting a burglary is only as strong as the weakest point of entry. Good locks are only as good as the strength of the wall they're bolted into.

 

[Decypher]

How are those going to stop someone from kicking in the door or breaking the window?

Strong locks prevent doors and windows from being easily breached and door cams would have the preventive measure outlined in post #12. How will a shotgun prevent those things if you are not at home, or are asleep, or have it safely stowed?

 

[soylentgreen]

Your home's structural strength for purposes of resisting a burglary is only as strong as the weakest point of entry. Good locks are only as good as the strength of the wall they're bolted into.

Thieves are not into a hard time. They will always pick the easiest target. Having visible defenses such as good locks and light, a dog and alarms will deter them. A gun is only a last and desperate defense against a person already in your house. Prevention is better than a fight for your life.

 

[Allan]

Strong locks prevent doors and windows from being easily breached and door cams would have the preventive measure outlined in post #12. How will a shotgun prevent those things if you are not at home, or are asleep, or have it safely stowed?

A home invasion happens very quickly.

I would have to unlock the gun vault, take the trigger lock off, go get the ammunition which is locked up separately and load the the gun.

The better plan is running out the back door and calling the cops.

 

[multivita-man]

The poll asked if citizens support a total ban on private firearms, with exceptions just for police/hunters/sport shooters and certain other professions that require guns.

74% support a complete private ban
21% are opposed (I belong to this small minority)

Ministerrat fixiert strengere Waffenregeln – das kommt | Heute.at

Strengere Waffenregeln nach Grazer Amoklauf: 74 % der Österreicher unterstützen ein Verbot für Private. Ministerrat beschließt neue Gesetze.

www.heute.at

All party voters support a ban by huge margins, Green and Liberal voters with more than 90%, Conservative and Social Democratic voters with more than 80% and even Trumpian far-right FPÖ voters by 57-39.

76% of women and 71% of men.

77% of young people under 30 - and 69% of middle-aged people - and 78% of old people over 60.

81% of higher-educated people and 70% of lower-educated people.

Austrians are smarter than Americans.