Tierschutz Austria: Stricter Rules for Hobby Hunters

The association views positively the proposed stricter measures such as higher age limits, mandatory psychological assessments and longer waiting periods for firearms acquisition as an important step towards violence prevention.

However, it is incomprehensible that hobby hunters should remain exempt from regular psychological fitness assessments, said President Madeleine Petrovic. Cases such as the triple murder in Annaberg in 2023 demonstrated that a risk of gun violence also exists in hunting circles.

Tierschutz Austria furthermore points to scientific studies suggesting a link between animal cruelty and subsequent violence against humans. Criminological and psychological studies show: those who deliberately abuse animals, for example during hunting, are significantly more likely to exhibit violent behaviour towards humans — particularly in the areas of domestic violence, child abuse and grievous bodily harm. The association therefore demands that convictions for animal cruelty should also result in preventive firearms bans. In addition, such offences should be mandatorily reported to firearms authorities and recorded in a central risk database.

Anyone who mistreats animals poses a risk to society. The protection of humans and animals must be considered together — and safeguarded with equal legal consistency, said Petrovic.

Further articles

• Are Hobby Hunters Psychopaths?
• Hobby Hunters on the Psychological Swing
• Aggression: Understanding Hobby Hunters Better
• Sadism: Understanding Hobby Hunters Better
• Trophies: Trophy Hunting for Pleasure
• Alcohol: Hobby Hunters and the Drinking Problem
• Hunting and Hunters: Psychoanalysis
• Hobby Hunters and Violence in Our Society