Living with a gun in Europe

bon3s90 (51)in #guns • 7 years ago

Living with a gun in Europe, more precisely in Austria...

Firearms are quite controversial – I guess all over the world. Some countries like the US are very open to guns, other countries like most of Europe are more conservative.
Especially, in times like these with all the terrorism all over the world, this topic gains more attention.
Although I understand all the worries and fears which come with firearms, I think many regulations are too massive. There are enough studies and reports which clearly show that the concerns regarding guns are exaggerated.

How to own a gun in Austria

Compared to the UK or Germany the regulations in Austria are not too bad.
Nevertheless, before you are allowed to purchase a firearm you need to accomplish several steps:

You need a psychological report from a certified psychologist.
You need to attend a course, held by arms dealers, gun smith or gun clubs, where you learn about types of guns, ammunition and handling a firearm
You need to be 21 years old
You need a clean criminal record
You need a justification – basically, there are two reasons which you have to mention: self-protection and/or sports marksman

Some of these are linked to quite high costs. The psychological reports costs around 280€, the course another 20€-50€ and the competent authority charges you another 80€ issuing the sought-after weapon license.
You end up paying over 400€ ($470) just to be able buying a firearm legally!

This license permits one to own a maximum amount of 2 category B guns.
Why just two? Because the law claims that two guns are enough for self-protection and the shooting range. But if you participate in several shooting competitions there is a chance to expand your maximum amount to more guns (as long as you have a reason – participating competitions with different weapon arts and calibers [pistols, revolvers, and rifle] works in most cases).
Furthermore, you are allowed to transport the guns but it is forbidden to carry one.

Short explanation of categories in Austria

A - illegal firearms
shotguns shorter than 90cm
pump guns
silencers
full automatic guns
military guns
B - weapon license required
pistols and revolvers
semi automatic rifles
repeating rifle
C & D - 18 years old and guns have to be registered, no license required
more or less hunting rifles, there are two kinds of rifles but I couldn't find the correct translation

Now the question is: Who seeks to freak out with a legally acquired gun when it is a long and expensive way to get one? The answer is nearly no one! ALL crimes are happening with illegal guns or other legal weapons like knives or recently axes and machetes…

My Heckler&Koch

Since I was performing military service back in 2009 I was attracted and fascinated by firearms of all kind. Early this year a very good friend of mine told me he bought a gun and that he is shooting on a regular basis. He asked me if I want to join him one day what I did, of course.
Short after, my girlfriend and I decided to get the license and join the shooting club.

Firstly, I needed to gather some information about makes and models since there is an endless choice. I really loved the Sig Sauer X-Five from my friend but because I am still a student my budget is limited and this particular one was just too expensive. Thus, I reduced the possible guns to polymer guns like the world famous Austrian Glock and its competitors.

My shortlist contained the Glock 17, Steyr M9A1, H&K SFP9, CZ Shadow, Walther PPQ and the S&W M&P9.

I rejected the Glock pretty soon because literally, everyone in Austria has one and I wanted something more unique (as far as possible with these guns). Also, the Steyr M9A1 (which is also an Austrian gun) wasn’t the right firearm for me. The Walther PPQ is a very, very nice thing and I highly considered it but then another friend of mine bought one and so it also got off the list.

Three excellent choices remained, and to be honest, I couldn’t decide which one to choose. After talking to my trusted gun dealer, I decided to take the H&K SFP 9, which is called VP9 in the US(marketing is everything, ha? 😆) , because I could pick it up immediately whereas the supply of CZ and S&W is pretty bad in Austria and I would have an unknown long waiting time (my dealers expected the next delivery of CZ’s after three months at least…)

The decision was made and here it is

A lot of you guys probably know this gun, anyway following you find some specs and pictures of my life insurance 😉

SFP9-SF- Cal. 9 mm x 19 - SF-Trigger


Calibre	9 mm x 19
Operating principle	Recoil-operated with modified Browning locking system
Magazine capacity	15/20 rounds
Trigger system	SA (Single Action)
Magazine release	Paddle or Push Button
Trigger pull	ca. 20-25 N
Trigger travel	approx. 6 mm

source

The only thing which I really hate is that the sight is not adjustable – that is annoying…

My girlfriends gun

As mentioned before, my girlfriend also bought a gun. She bought a Hämmerli x-esse with the following specs.

Hämmerli x-esse


SYSTEM	Auto-loader
CALIBER	.22 l.r.
MAGAZINE CAPACITY	10 shot(s)
GRIP	Hi-grip right/left
TRIGGER	double-pull
TRIGGER WEIGHT	1000-1360 g
SIGHTS	adjustable
SIGHT LENGTH	201 mm
BARREL LENGTH	150 mm
WEIGHT	880 g

source

Since she has some problem with her wrist this firearm is perfect for her because of the low recoil. Also, the ammunition is way cheaper 😜

Shooting Range and the future purchase

Our shooting range is a little private club in the backyard of an old farm house. Our community there is great. If you need some help or want to try new guns, especially as a beginner, every member is very helpful and let you shoot with their guns.

Really a weird guy but he is very funny

We go there once a week, usually on Friday and fire 100-200 rounds a day. It isn’t very much but it is a very expensive hobby so, I must organize the amount of ammunition which I have.

After approximately 2000 rounds still too far left 😞

I have one space on my weapon license free and this should be filled with a special gun. I would love to own a 1911 Springfield Armory .45ACP. An absolutely dream gun 😍 but unfortunately very rare and extremely expensive here in Austria. But as soon as I find one at a reasonable price I will get it and let you know 😉

Furthermore, we are going to buy a Revolver.
Most likely a Smith & Wesson 686 .357 Mag..
We often shoot this one and want to have one in our little “collection”.

This post was very extensive and I would like to thank you if you read to this point.
I hope you like it and please let me know what you think about the whole topic and if you own a gun I would like to know which one.

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