German authorities to ban knives longer than 6 cm in public due to increase in knife attacks
The German government announced stricter regulations on weapons in public spaces. This decision comes in response to a rising number of knife attacks, including the recent tragic death of a police officer in Mannheim. The officer was fatally attacked by a man from Afghanistan who was armed with a knife.
The German authorities are confronting a harsh reality as recent statistics reveal a disturbing trend. In 2023 alone, the number of dangerous and deadly knife attacks increased by nearly 10%. These horrific incidents have been most prevalent in the country’s largest cities, with Berlin witnessing several attacks each day, according to police reports. This alarming situation presents a significant challenge for the government.
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Official figures released by the police indicate that foreigners are responsible for the majority of such attacks, accounting for 54% of the perpetrators. These unsettling statistics have prompted the government to implement stricter regulations and restrictions to address the growing crisis.
German authorities want tighter regulations on knives
According to Gazeta Wyborcza, under German law, carrying knives with blades up to 12 centimetres long is currently permitted in public spaces. However, these rules have been temporarily tightened in certain areas during the European Football Championship. The turning point for reconsidering these regulations was the murder of a 29-year-old police officer in Mannheim. The officer, who was securing an anti-Muslim rally, was fatally attacked with a knife by an Afghan man.
The murder shocked the nation and sparked a broader discussion about radical Islam and the adequacy of current laws governing the carrying of knives in public spaces. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has acknowledged the need for change and has begun outlining the proposed reforms. According to Gazeta Wyborcza, the maximum legal blade length will be reduced from 12 to 6 centimetres, and switchblades will be banned entirely.
Additionally, stricter regulations will be introduced for firearms. The Federal Ministry of the Interior aims to prohibit the sale of semi-automatic rifles, including sporting rifles. This measure is intended to prevent attacks by so-called "lone wolves" and individuals with mental health issues.
Source: Gazeta Wyborcza
