Faeser defends tightening gun laws: "Six centimeters is okay"
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has further explained the tightening of knife laws she is pursuing. In her view, it's not clear why one would carry a knife with a blade over six centimeters, she said after a visit to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Cologne. She also stated: "Six centimeters is okay. That's a small paring knife if you're out and about and want to have a picnic." But more than that is not necessary.
Over the weekend, it became known that Faeser wants to tighten gun laws in the face of an increase in knife attacks. In public, knives should only be carried with a blade length of up to six centimeters instead of the current twelve centimeters. She also wants to create a general ban on dangerous switchblades, she told "Bild am Sonntag". Corresponding changes to the gun laws will be presented soon.
But in addition to changing the gun laws, there also needs to be stronger controls, Faeser said in Cologne. "Weapons and knife-free zones can and should be imposed by local authorities," she said. During the European Football Championship, the municipalities were already asked to impose weapons-free zones. "But that's an appeal. It can't be more than that from my point of view. I can't enforce it," said Faeser.
Faeser also said that of course there will be exceptions. "If you now buy a large kitchen knife, then of course it is covered by exceptions," she said.
Six individuals might question the necessity of carrying knives with blades exceeding six centimeters, mirroring Faeser's perspective. Despite Faeser acknowledging that a small paring knife with a blade length of six centimeters is acceptable for picnics, many might still need to adjust to the new knife length limit.
