Austria is facing increasing concerns over illegal firearms possession among non-citizens, with new figures revealing a steady rise in cases involving refugees and migrants. According to the latest available 2024 data, 1,068 people without Austrian passports were reported for illegal ownership of small firearms, revolvers, shotguns, and ammunition, excluding knives and machetes.
Statistically, this equates to one foreign suspect every three days, though authorities acknowledge the actual number may be higher due to unreported cases.
Syrians top the list, accounting for approximately 12% of all reported foreign suspects. Other nationalities frequently recorded include Slovaks, Romanians, Turks, Serbs, Germans, and Russians, primarily Chechens, followed by Afghans. Among the reported individuals, 102 were asylum seekers.
The contrast between legal and illegal firearms is notable. Around 380,000 Austrians are officially registered as gun owners, possessing about 1.5 million firearms that are strictly controlled and recorded.
Public frustration with Austria’s migration policy is also mounting as trust in the ruling coalition continues to erode. Recent surveys show that a vast majority of Austrians are demanding tougher action on migration, with overwhelming support for deportations.