German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser wants to further restrict the carrying of knives in public, to combat a perceived rise in knife crime. The opposition has criticized the plan as impractical.
The German government has promised tougher knife laws after the police reported a rise in the number of stabbings, especially near train stations — though the statistics remain controversial.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has called for the law to be changed so that only blades of 6 centimeters (2.36 inches) would be allowed to be carried in public, rather than the current 12 centimeters. An exception would be made for household knives in their original packaging. Switchblades would be banned altogether.
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The government pronouncement came after police statistics recorded a 5.6% year-on-year rise in cases of serious bodily harm involving a knife, with 8,951 incidents in 2023. The federal police, which is responsible for safety at Germany’s airports and major railway stations, also reported a significant increase in knife attacks in and around stations, with 430 in the first six months of this year.
Besides the fact that having one on you would be a crime if you are stopped and checked, instead of being handed it back and sent on your way. Using one as a weapon would be 2 crimes instead of 1.
Plus it gives a message… this (carrying around a knife) is unacceptable in our society.
Finally the fact that a law might not be easily enforced is no reason not do have it on the books if the law enphasises what we want our society to be like (I think most agree that running around with big knifes is not something we want).
The point about people dumped into the asylum system and not allowed to do anything but be bored is an important one though. Idle hands are the devil’s play things.
the problem is, that even having a pocket knife on you would get you in trouble.
Got a swiss army knife in your backpack because it’s part of your EDC? Tough luck. To the police station with you
No it’s not. These kid of lawn limit knife sizes and if you have a utility knife in a backpack it’s also not an issue. At least if the law is sane.
ah. you did find the problem
The law limits to 6cm. My pocket knife is under 6cm.
my victorynox is a bit over 6cm
If it’s folded in your backpack, you’ll get it back during a stop and frisk and be wished a nice day and sent on your way.
This is about “kids” having full blown combat knives or modded butcher knives hanging around their necks under their shirt or in their belts, ready for use.