No, Tasers are prohibited for civilian use in Austria under the Waffengesetz (Weapons Act), with possession or carrying classified as a criminal offense. Law enforcement and certain security personnel may use them under strict authorization. Recent 2026 amendments to the Sicherheitsbehörden-Einsatzmittel-Verordnung (SBE-VO) further tightened oversight, requiring bi-annual audits by the Bundesministerium für Inneres (BMI) for authorized entities.
Key Regulations for Tasers in Austria
- Prohibition for Civilians: The Waffengesetz §17 explicitly bans Tasers for private individuals, with violations punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment under §50.
- Law Enforcement Exceptions: Only federal police (Bundespolizei) and Justizwache officers may deploy Tasers, subject to Einsatzmittel-Richtlinien (operational guidelines) issued by the BMI.
- Storage & Reporting: Authorized entities must store Tasers in secure facilities and report usage incidents to the Kriminalpolizei within 48 hours, per SBE-VO 2026 §4.
Non-compliance triggers administrative fines up to €10,000 or criminal prosecution. The Bundesamt für Eich- und Vermessungswesen (BEV) oversees compliance for licensed security firms. Importation requires prior BMI approval, with customs seizures common for unauthorized devices.