No. Stun guns are classified as prohibited weapons under Austria’s Waffengesetz (Weapons Act), specifically §17(1) point 5, which bans electrical discharge devices designed to incapacitate. The Bundesministerium für Inneres (Federal Ministry of the Interior) enforces this restriction, with no exceptions for civilian possession. Violations risk up to three years’ imprisonment under §52(1) WaffG.
Key Regulations for Stun Guns in Austria
- Prohibition Status: Stun guns are explicitly listed as verboten (prohibited) weapons, alongside items like brass knuckles and disguised knives. Civilian ownership is criminalized.
- Enforcement by BM.I: The Bundesministerium für Inneres conducts periodic inspections of firearm and weapon dealers, including online platforms, to prevent illegal sales. Recent 2026 directives mandate stricter monitoring of dark web transactions.
- Penalties for Possession: Unauthorized possession or use of a stun gun triggers criminal liability under §52(1) WaffG, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. Confiscation of the device is mandatory under §53 WaffG.
Austria’s stance aligns with EU-wide trends restricting civilian access to electro-shock devices, as outlined in the 2017 EU Firearms Directive implementation. Exceptions exist only for law enforcement or military personnel with Waffenbesitzkarte (weapon possession cards).