No, open carry of firearms is broadly prohibited in Austria under the Waffengesetz 1996 (Weapons Act), with exceptions narrowly tied to professional necessity or licensed hunting activities. The Bundesministerium für Inneres (Federal Ministry of the Interior) enforces these restrictions, and unauthorized open carry risks immediate confiscation, fines up to €7,260, or imprisonment under § 36 WaffG. Recent 2026 amendments further tightened storage and transport rules for licensed carriers.
Key Regulations for Open Carry in Austria
- Professional Exemptions: Open carry is permitted only for security personnel (e.g., armored transport) with Waffenbesitzkarte (WBK) and employer authorization, subject to Landespolizeidirektionen (regional police) approval.
- Hunting Context: Licensed hunters may carry unloaded firearms openly during transport to/from hunting grounds, but loaded carry requires a Jagdschein (hunting license) and adherence to Landesjagdgesetzen (state hunting laws).
- Storage & Transport: Firearms must be transported in locked containers, separate from ammunition, per § 13 WaffG. Violations trigger mandatory reporting to the Waffenregister (National Firearms Register).