Rising School Shootings in Europe Prompt Calls for Stricter Gun Laws

ZURICH - A recent surge in school shootings across Western Europe has intensified calls for authorities to address a problem traditionally perceived as primarily American. The tragic incidents have ignited discussions about the need for tougher gun legislation and enhanced security measures in schools, paralleling concerns previously confined to the United States.

In the past year, Europe has witnessed four of its most severe school shootings, with two notable incidents occurring in 2025 alone. A massacre in Graz, Austria, resulted in eleven fatalities, while another shooting in Sweden earlier this year further highlighted this alarming trend. As a result, political leaders are advocating for stricter gun laws, mirroring the responses seen in the U.S.

"Mass shootings, including school shootings, have overwhelmingly been regarded as a U.S. issue in the past, but the trend is shifting," stated Dr. Adam Lankford, a criminologist at the University of Alabama and author of a 2023 study on global shooting trends. He noted that the number of mass shootings outside the U.S. is increasing and that Europe is starting to account for a larger share of these incidents.

Research conducted by Dr. Lankford and his colleague, Dr. Jason Silva, revealed that individuals motivated by the desire for notoriety were twice as likely to commit shootings in the United States compared to the global average from 2005 to 2010. However, their findings indicate that by 2017-2022, the rest of the world had caught up, with Europe experiencing a notable rise in such incidents.

The European Union has largely permitted member states to regulate gun ownership and social media, leading to varying responses to recent shootings. For instance, following the tragic events in Sweden, the government announced plans to tighten the vetting process for gun license applicants and restrict access to certain semi-automatic firearms. Notably, a report from Sweden's Work Environment Authority indicated a 150% increase in incidents of violence and threatening behavior in junior high and high schools between 2003 and 2023.

In Finland, the aftermath of a school shooting in 2024 prompted schools to implement barricading drills, and the government has proposed stricter penalties for illegal gun possession. Similarly, Croatia responded to a deadly knife attack at a primary school by mandating security personnel at schools. Over the years, Germany has progressively tightened gun ownership laws, especially following past school massacres, and recently introduced a ban on switchblades at public events in response to a rise in knife attacks.

Despite the push for tighter regulations, resistance from various interest groups is anticipated. Dr. Dirk Baier, a criminologist at Zurich University of Applied Sciences, noted, "The push to tighten gun laws will face opposition from hunters and sport shooters, but the need for safety will likely outweigh these concerns."

In the Czech Republic, gun control has been a contentious political topic since a student shooting at Charles University in December 2023, which left fourteen people dead. Measures implemented include mandatory reporting of suspicious gun purchases and mental health evaluations for gun permit applicants.

In the UK, an ongoing public inquiry into a school stabbing in Southport is examining issues related to youth violence and online culture. Meanwhile, in France, President Emmanuel Macron is advocating for European Union regulations aimed at restricting social media access for children under the age of 15 in light of recent violent incidents.

The motivations behind the recent Austrian shooter are still under investigation, with reports suggesting a socially withdrawn individual with a passion for online shooting games. Dr. Lankford emphasized the global phenomenon of shooters seeking fame, often inspired by their predecessors, stating, "Even if they anticipate their demise, some are eager to leave a lasting legacy."

Austria's relatively lenient gun laws are now under scrutiny, with President Alexander Van der Bellen suggesting that they warrant closer examination. A broad consensus appears to be forming in Austria for tightening gun ownership laws, though a complete ban on private firearms remains unlikely, according to political scientist Dr. Peter Filzmaier.

As Europe grapples with the implications of these tragic events, the focus remains on balancing individual rights with the pressing need to ensure the safety of students in schools across the continent.