The Federal Ministry of the Interior wants to improve protection against weapons and knives
The Federal Ministry of the Interior aims to tighten gun laws in Germany. According to the ministry, "protection of the population from misuse of weapons and knives needs to be improved," a spokesperson told the "Tagesspiegel". "There is a need for legislative action here." The ministry will "submit proposals for changes to gun laws."
Calls for a change in gun laws have grown louder in recent months following several knife attacks. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had already called for a general ban on carrying weapons, particularly knives, in public transportation in the spring.
The Lower Saxony state government pushed for a tightening of gun laws through the Bundesrat at the end of May. This would include banning all switchblades and other knives with a length of six centimeters or more in public. Faeser welcomed the corresponding demands of the Bundesrat, the ministry spokesperson told the "Tagesspiegel".
However, it remains unclear how quickly changes will come about. The Bundesrat had already criticized that a planned revision of gun laws by the federal ministry "has still not been agreed upon within the federal government after more than a year."
The acquisition and possession of certain knives, such as butterfly knives, are already prohibited. Violations can result in imprisonment of up to three years or a fine. According to the Interior Ministry, knives with a one-handed opening mechanism, so-called one-handed knives, as well as fixed-blade knives with a blade length of over 12 centimeters, may not be carried outside one's own home or property. Violations can result in a fine.
- Despite the unclear timeline for changes, the ministry spokesperson admitted that they are still considering the demands from the Bundesrat to tighten gun laws further, stating, "It is our intention to address these concerns."
- In response to the escalating knife attacks, the ministry is focusing on prohibiting certain types of knives, stating, "It is essential to prevent these weapons from falling into the wrong hands."
