Psychological Test for Hobby Hunters: Animal Protection Association Demands
Austrian Animal Protection Association demands mandatory psychological fitness assessment for hunting applicants and hunters who clearly no longer possess the required psychological suitability
A series of dramatic accidents involving hobby hunters shows no sign of abating. The death of 4 people marks a tragic culmination.
In view of the scale of the tragedy and out of consideration for the families of those killed, the Austrian Animal Protection Association has until now refrained from participating in the public debate that has erupted on the subject of «hobby hunters and their potential for endangerment». Mag. Christian Hölzl, spokesperson for the association: «We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with the bereaved. However, since we are once again being approached by frightened people in the wake of the latest incident, we wish to reiterate our longstanding demand that the firearms legislation, which privileges recreational hunters for reasons that are impossible to comprehend, is urgently in need of reform.»
Mentally ill hobby hunters are still permitted to go hunting
The facts are alarming: although the more than 120’000 hunting license holders in Austria are responsible for the majority of weapon-related accidents, hobby hunters enjoy a highly questionable privilege. In principle, Austrians require official authorization (a firearms ownership card or firearms permit) to own or carry weapons and must — quite rightly — undergo a psychological reliability assessment for this purpose. This does not apply to recreational hunters: hobby hunters either obtain their firearms license without proof of psychological suitability, or hunt entirely — perfectly legally — without a firearms permit. A passed hunting examination is sufficient to obtain a hunting license, according to the press release. The psychology of hobby hunting is far too rarely discussed.
According to Hölzl, this unequal treatment is incomprehensible: When issuing a firearms ownership card or firearms permit, the so-called “reliability” of the applicant plays a central role. The Firearms Act requires applicants to submit a psychological assessment. This must demonstrate that a person does not, for example, tend to handle weapons carelessly or use them recklessly under stress. There is no objective justification for exempting hobby hunters from this requirement.
The legislature opens the door wide to abuse
In addition to “reliability,” applicants must, under the Firearms Act, also demonstrate a “need to carry a Category B firearm” as a further prerequisite. A firearms permit may therefore generally only be issued to individuals who are exposed to a corresponding threat, i.e., particular dangers (e.g., security services).
This final obstacle on the path to obtaining a firearms permit — and thus to legally carrying weapons requiring authorization — has since been removed for hobby hunters by a decree issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Under this decree, hobby hunters may also credibly establish this “need” if they “engage in hunting at least occasionally and require authorized Category B firearms for that purpose in order to conduct hunting in an appropriate manner.”
For recreational hunters, the otherwise required “threat” is therefore no longer a prerequisite. In practice, a confirmation from the responsible national hunting association stating that the applying hobby hunter needs these firearms for appropriate recreational hunting is sufficient.
A recent study by New York University finds that many weapons do not make a nation safer. On the contrary: the death rate rises with the number of weapons in circulation. Notably: in Austria, the death rate is three times as high as in Germany.
The danger potential of recreational hunters
Hölzl continued: “What we want is a factual discussion, naturally also with the recreational hunters. However, despite the unrelenting series of incidents involving hobby hunters, they showed no willingness to engage in dialogue.”
The public and politicians are not aware that there are apparently far more black sheep among hobby hunters than previously assumed. “Some are ill, others are unwilling to give up alcohol while hobby hunting. After all, in the current case as well, the perpetrator legally possessed six firearms. And yet it must be a concern precisely for those hobby hunters who exercise reason to remove the mentally ill or the incorrigible from circulation,” says Hölzl, shaking his head. The animal welfare problems of recreational hunting extend far beyond the handling of weapons.
Due to the danger posed to people and animals by trigger-happy hobby hunters, the Austrian Animal Welfare Association demands:
The equal treatment of hobby hunters with other weapon owners under firearms law. This means the introduction of a mandatory psychological reliability assessment for prospective hunters and hobby hunters who obviously no longer possess the psychological suitability.
Furthermore, the establishment of a zero blood alcohol limit during recreational hunting in the individual regional hunting laws; any violation must result in the immediate revocation of the hunting licence.
And regular eye examinations for hobby hunters aged 50 and over.
More on this in the dossier: Psychology of Hunting
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