Gun laws in Austria

[Skeletor]

Hey all,
another member was interested in gun laws in Austria, so I thought opening a thread could be a good idea. Maybe others are interested in getting to know more about it as well.

In Austria you are allowed to buy and own bolt action rifles, O/U and side by side shotguns by the age of 18.
There is a three day waiting period where your personal info etc. is checked, then you can take the gun home.

If you want to own revolvers, Pistols and semi automatic rifles and shotguns you need a permit.
You need to be 21 years old, make a short course on handling guns, gun safety and a bit of law and you need a conformation of a psychologist that you are fit to own these guns.
That process usually takes some weeks and a couple of hundred EUROS.

With this permit you are allowed to own two weapons (handguns, semi automatic rifles). After some years, or if you are a sport shooter (with lots of paperwork!!) you have the possibility to increase the total number of guns you are allowed to own.
This permit also enables you to buy rifles without the waiting period.

The possibility to carry a gun in public is very restricted. Nowadays only police officers, some people from the military, security guards, prosecuting attorney, politicians etc. get this permit.

If you have a hunting license you don't need the confirmation of a psychologist to apply for the handgun and semi-automatic rifle permit. Furthermore you are allowed to carry your hunting rifle while hunting and as of next year hunters are allowed to carry a handgun and use silencers while hunting as well.

I hope this gave you some insight on our gun rules and that you enjoyed reading this short summary. There are more details, such as what ammunition are you allowed to buy/own, but I didn't want to go overboard.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Greetings,
Skeletor

 

[M29since14]

I’m curious about the change to allow hunters to carry the handgun. Do you mean in addition to carrying the rifle, or do you mean the handgun is carried as the main hunting weapon?

I’m under the impression that the hunting community in Austria is EXTREMELY tradition-oriented, so I am a bit surprised by this change. I would have assumed an Austrian hunter wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a handgun. So, or not so? Are things changing away from being hidebound to the old ways?

Thanks for your interesting summary about firearms in your country.

 

[Rustyt1953]

We appreciate the peek inside your borders.

 

[les.b]

Thanks for the information. And welcome to the forum!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[Maddog 521]

Thanks for that information. i have a question. Why are the politicians and attorneys allowed to protect themselves and you are not? How does your government explain that?
Just asking-----

 

[Onomea]

Interesting thread.

(And if I may tease you just a little bit, I am glad that one is permitted to carry one’s rifle when hunting if one has a hunting permit. That seems quite reasonable.)

 

[6518John]

May God Bless and keep the USA! (Or at least most of it!).

 

[Rudi]

A lot of people are trying to make it like that here.

 

[shouldazagged]

Thanks, skeletor. It looks as if Austrian gun laws are somewhat less restrictive than those in some European countries

 

[hoc9sw]

I could have gotten a permit while a resident of Italy, but it was allowed only for sport (organized) events. The pistol had to be stored at the local Carabineri facility (military police), and could only be checked out for specific events, then had to be returned in a strict time frame. I would not have been allowed to store it at home.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Thanks for that information. i have a question. Why are the politicians and attorneys allowed to protect themselves and you are not? How does your government explain that?
Just asking-----

You had to ask this, as if you didn't already know the answer?

 

[Absalom]

If you have a hunting license you don't need the confirmation of a psychologist to apply for the handgun and semi-automatic rifle permit. Furthermore you are allowed to ....

Let me add one piece of information which I‘ve found many American-born friends to need in order to understand why “people don‘t just get a hunting license” to have more gun rights.

A hunting license (Jagdschein/Jagdkarte) in Austria, just like in Germany where I got mine, is not something you buy for 30 bucks or so (current cost here in Oregon) over the counter at your local sporting goods store.

The test you need to pass to be eligible usually takes several months of preparation. This varies a bit from state to state, so maybe the OP can share some details for his situation. This isn’t just hunter safety either. Wildlife biology, law, weapons theory and handling, dogs, first aid, ecology, agriculture, plus you need to demonstrate a minimum proficiency with rifle, shotgun (trap), and in some states handgun. It’s not cheap and only for the committed.

Once you have that, you can purchase your annual liability insurance and ticket.

 

[misswired]

I thought in Germany hunting is only a right of royalty....therefore one had to be ceremonially knighted for hunting permission?

 

[Bkreutz]

Thank you for the glimpse into the laws of Austria. I always find it interesting to see how the rest of the world handles it. I found hunting in Germany a lot of fun and tradition even if a bit heavy on regulations. But the after hunting celebrations made up for any inconvenience.

 

[lkabug]

Welcome from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Thanks for the insight into your gun ownership world.

 

[Skeletor]

I think it's great, that so many people are interested.

Do you mean in addition to carrying the rifle, or do you mean the handgun is carried as the main hunting weapon?

I’m under the impression that the hunting community in Austria is EXTREMELY tradition-oriented, so I am a bit surprised by this change. I would have assumed an Austrian hunter wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a handgun. So, or not so? Are things changing away from being hidebound to the old ways?

Hunters are going to able to carry a handgun as a sidearm, using it for a finishing shot, or in defensive situations against hogs for example. I personally don't think that all hunters will be in the woods with a sidearm now just because of the new law.

Years ago hunters could apply for a permit to carry handguns during hunting (Waffenpass). But in the last years this wasn't possible anymore. So this new law now makes it possible for all hunters without applying for the "Waffenpass", just a regular permit to own revolvers, pistols and semi automatic rifles (Waffenbesitzkarte) is needed.

You're right about hunting beeing traditional in Austria. It still is and will be, but in my opinion there is a slow change, as nowadays more and more people are interested in hunting.

Let me add...

Thanks, that is absolutely correct. "Getting" a hunting license isn't something easy.
You have to take an oral test with several examiners. They ask you about wildlife biology, ecology, agriculture, weapons theory, hunting law, weapon law, hunting dogs, first aid etc. Furthermore you have to pass a shooting test with a bolt action rifle and a shotgun.
Taking the course takes about 3 months, two nights per week. Several people teach the courses, all hunters. Some work at the university of University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, some are ornithologists etc. There really is bandwidth of knowledge and people.
You also go out in the woods and try to apply some of the theory outside. Training in weapon handling and shooting is also a part of the course.
It's expensive, but worth it. You learn a lot!

Greetings,
Skeletor

 

[Mr.Harry]

Fascinating that you say the interest in hunting there is growing, despite the rigorous requirements to be met in getting licensed. Here, the interest seems to be fading. Sadly. From what I can see.

 

[Absalom]

I thought in Germany hunting is only a right of royalty....therefore one had to be ceremonially knighted for hunting permission?

Sarcasm aside, that is one of the things that is most strikingly different between most of Europe and the US:

Because there hasn‘t been any real wilderness or public land (in our sense) in Europe basically since the late Middle Ages, hunting traditionally has been the sport of the aristocracy and later simply those who were wealthy enough to own enough land or lease hunting rights.That explains a lot of the fancy traditions.

Here in the US, in contrast, it‘s the most democratic and accessible of pastimes, and in fact has often been a way to feed your family in hard times.

PS: Before anyone thinks I grew up rich because I hunted in Germany: The one large “non-elitist“ group of people in Germany who own enough land for hunting are farmers. And my dad had a lot of connections there, so we got invited to hunt. For many, that‘s the only financially feasible way to get into it.

 

[misswired]

Sarcasm aside, that is one of the things that is most strikingly different between most of Europe and the US.

PS: Before anyone thinks I grew up rich because I hunted in Germany: The one large “non-elitist“ group of people in Germany who own enough land for hunting are farmers. And my dad had a lot of connections there, so we got invited to hunt. For many, that‘s the only financially feasible way to get into it.

A late best friend served in the Air Force in Germany. He enjoyed great pleasure in showing his buddies pictures of him being knighted..... one pictured the sword touching his shoulder as he was declared a Knight for the sole purpose of hunting privileges.

He never let us forget he was German royalty.... LOL.
He also said back in those times you could only hunt in the presence of the forester/game warden who would specifically point out which deer to take. He said the forester may tell you to let a nice buck pass while allowing a shot at a spike he wanted removed from the herd. Also said he had to join a shooting club to store his hunting weapons that was forbidden to keep at his residence.

All of this is pure speculation on my part(although a strong German heritage, I've never been there) but I did see the pics and hear the stories....Many times. LOL

 

[Texas Star]

I could have gotten a permit while a resident of Italy, but it was allowed only for sport (organized) events. The pistol had to be stored at the local Carabineri facility (military police), and could only be checked out for specific events, then had to be returned in a strict time frame. I would not have been allowed to store it at home.

Please clarify. You were a foreign resident, right?

I think Italian citizens store their guns at home.