Gun ownership in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen: A look at unbridled numbers

Gun ownership in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen: A look at unbridled numbers

In the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district, the weapon ownership card (WBK) is the document of choice for 3,441 citizens when it comes to the legal handling of firearms. If you consider that only twelve people have a major firearms license, the strict regulation of firearms here becomes even clearer. All of this has breathed a breath of fresh air into the current discussion about stricter gun laws, especially after the tragic shooting rampage in Graz, which cost ten people their lives and reignited debates in Germany. As [merkur.de](https://www.merkur.de/lokales/wolfratshausen/wolfratshausen-ort29708/registriert-rufe-nach-schaerferem-gesetz-so-viel-schuss Waffen-sind-im-landkreis-93783367.html) reports, a total of 20,734 weapons are currently registered in the district.

Strict regulations regulate the purchase of firearms in Germany. Previous evidence of reliability and expertise is essential in order to receive a WBK. A large firearms license is usually only issued to security services or people at risk, with the criminal police carrying out a risk analysis beforehand. This ensures that private sales negotiations remain transparent; In 2024, 1,765 acquisitions and 1,104 transfers were reported.

Why the discussion is reignited

The shooting spree in Graz not only led to a wave of grief in Austria, but also raised calls for legal changes in Germany. The alleged perpetrator found a shotgun and a handgun in his possession, which shows how important the issue of legalization and control mechanisms are. The director of public security in Graz, Franz Ruf, states that the perpetrator apparently met the legal requirements for firearm possession. This raises an essential question: Are our gun laws still sufficient? The mayor of Graz, Elke Kahr, advocates a complete ban on firearms for private individuals and argues that the issuing of firearms licenses is controlled too quickly and inadequately, as orf.at reports.

However, the discussion is not just limited to Graz and Austria. There are also efforts in Germany to further tighten gun laws. In recent years, German gun law has been adjusted several times to respond to acts of violence. Authorities must now obtain police clearance certificates and information about mental illnesses before a WBK is issued. Applicants must also demonstrate a need for firearm ownership that goes beyond being a hunter or a sport shooter. A simple reference to self-protection is not enough, as [wdr.de](https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/ Waffenimmobilien-graz-deutschland-oesterreich-100.html) explains.

The look into the future

At its next meeting, the National Security Council in Austria will intensively examine the background to the shooting spree and the resulting gun law discussions. In Germany, the federal government plans to further develop gun laws to ensure that extremists and mentally ill people have no opportunity to purchase weapons. The police union is even calling for stricter gun laws to reduce the presence of firearms and knives in public spaces.

While the number of private gun owners in Austria has already increased in the first few months of this year, the discussion about effective and safe gun laws is still ongoing. It remains to be seen what specific measures will result from this and whether politicians will take citizens' fears seriously.