The incident unfolded early on Tuesday at a high school in Graz, where the shooter used a handgun and a shotgun in the assault. Experts noted that Austria boasts the 12th-highest rate of gun ownership globally, a factor that complicates the potential for severe legal restrictions on firearms. Yet, despite having a significant number of guns per capita, Austria maintains low instances of gun-related violence when compared to its western European counterparts and the United States.

The aftermath of the shooting has ignited a heated debate online, with many users speculating about the future of gun laws. One commentator aptly summarized the sentiment, stating that a shift in gun ownership policies seems inevitable, as societal support for reform appears to be growing. As the conversation continues, Austria stands at a crossroads, grappling with the implications of its gun culture in the wake of such a devastating event.