Targeted by the EU: Sport Shooters and Hunters

An increasing number of regulations from Brussels risk placing law-abiding firearms owners under general suspicion, effectively criminalising individuals who engage in hunting or practice shooting sports. These developments threaten not only individual freedoms, but also long-standing European traditions closely tied to cultural heritage, rural life, and established societal structures.

The aim of this event is to send a clear message: legal firearms ownership must not be broadly restricted or stigmatised. Decisions in this area should remain at the national level and must not be undermined by centralised EU policies.

Policymakers, legal experts, hunters, sport shooters, and civil society representatives will come together to discuss concrete strategies for preserving national competencies, protecting individual freedoms, and maintaining these traditions.

Join us in ensuring that law-abiding citizens are not unjustly criminalised, and that hunting and shooting sports continue to hold their rightful place in Europe.

Program:

17.30: Registration

18.30: Opening Remarks:

Joachim Stampfer, Board Member of Patriots for Europe Foundation, General Manager Austrian Freedom Party, FPÖ

18:35: Keynote speeches:

Mag. Gernot Darmann, Member of the National Council of Austria; FPÖ

19:15: Start Panels:

Moderation: Marlies Gasser

19.15: Panel 1: Targeted by the EU

Tomáš Kubín, Member of the European Parliament; ANO (CZ)

Ernö Schaller-Baross, Member of the European Parliament; Fidesz (HU)

Harald Vilimsky, Member of the European Parliament; FPÖ

19.45: Panel 2: Negative effects on trade and associations

Markus Fritsch, Entrepreneur „Austrian Arms“

Mag. Dr. Eva Erlacher, LL.M. Attorney, author of legal textbooks, and university lecturer specializing in administrative and constitutional law; known for her in-depth expertise in hunting and firearms law and a hunter herself

Carmen Schranz, Owner of IGB Austria (Austrian manufacturer and developer of barrels and accessories for firearms)

Mathias Hainich, Managing Director „Oberland Arms“

Mag. Gernot Darmann, Member of the National Council of Austria, Spokesman for Security Affairs; FPÖ

20:15: Conclusion and Closing Remarks:

Harald Vilimsky, Member of the European Parliament; FPÖ

20.25: Reception

21:45: End of the Event