Two devastating attacks in Austria and France have left parents and governments searching for answers on how to protect students from random violence. In Graz, Austria, a 21-year-old former student carried out a deadly seven-minute shooting spree at a high school, killing nine students and a teacher before taking his own life. The shooter, who had legally owned the guns used in the school attack, had been deemed “psychologically unfit” for military service in 2021.
In France, a 14-year-old boy stabbed a 31-year-old school assistant to death during a bag search at a middle school in Nogent. The teenager told police he had a grudge against school assistants and had planned the attack. Both incidents have sparked debates about gun laws, mental health support, and school security.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has raised the possibility of tightening gun laws, stating, “If we come to the conclusion that Austria’s gun laws need to be changed to ensure greater safety, then we will do so.” The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, believes private individuals should not be allowed to own guns, saying, “Only the police should carry weapons, not private individuals.”
In France, the government has pledged to ban sales of knives to under-15s and consider introducing airport-style metal detectors in schools. However, experts argue that more needs to be done to address underlying issues, such as mental health support and social isolation.
The Graz shooter was described as introverted and passionate about online first-person shooter games. The teenager in France had shown a “fascination with death” and an “absence of reference-points relating to the value of human life.” Experts believe that understanding the motivations behind these attacks is crucial to preventing future incidents.
As both countries grapple with the aftermath of these shocking attacks, there is a growing demand for solutions and a greater focus on supporting young people who may be struggling with mental health issues or social isolation.