Abstract: An opening apparatus for a gas pressure container for inflating an airbag is provided. A housing is fixedly connected to the container and communicates therewith via a discharge opening. The housing includes a principal member that has oppositely disposed open ends. A sealing element for initially sealing the discharge opening is supported by a pressure piece on a counterbearing against opening forces acting on the sealing element via gas pressure in the container. A triggering device is provided that when activated removes support for the sealing element so that the discharge opening is opened by gas pressure in the container for inflating the airbag. The triggering device is in the form of a separate unit that is independently mountable on the housing and is held n one of the end plates. Support of the sealing element is stable independently of the triggering device.