Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) is pushing for stricter knife regulations, but faces opposition from both the coalition and the opposition parties. Recent violent incidents in Berlin have highlighted the urgent need for such reforms, yet the political landscape remains divided.
In a series of disturbing incidents last week, knives were used in violent crimes across Berlin. On August 10, an individual in Berlin-Lichtenrade threatened a car seller with a knife and stole a vehicle. The day before, in Berlin-Neukölln, a man was fatally injured by another with a cutter knife during an argument. On August 8, a group in Berlin-Mitte attacked a young couple, causing severe injuries with a knife. On August 6, a 45-year-old in Berlin-Spandau was stabbed during a bus stop altercation.
These incidents underscore a growing trend in knife-related violence nationwide. Although comprehensive data on knife attacks has only recently been collected, statistics from the past two years show a worrying increase. In 2022, there were 8,160 knife attacks classified as dangerous or severe bodily harm, and approximately 4,200 knife-related crimes involving robbery. By 2023, these figures rose to 8,950 severe injuries and 4,900 robbery-related knife crimes, with numbers continuing to rise.
In response to this troubling trend, the pressure on the federal government has been mounting. Faeser has announced a plan to tighten knife regulations, proposing that knives in public should have a blade length of no more than six centimeters, down from the current 12 centimeters, and banning spring-loaded knives entirely. Exceptions would be made for household knives carried in closed containers.
Faeser’s proposed reform has been stalled for over a year, primarily due to resistance from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), one of her coalition partners. Despite presenting a draft amendment to the weapons law that included stricter regulations on blank-firing, signal, and irritant weapons, Faeser has yet to address knives in this context. The FDP’s opposition has led to significant frustration among the federal states, including those governed by the SPD.
Niedersachsen’s Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) criticized the FDP for its blockade, emphasizing that the need for stricter knife regulations is crucial for public safety. She and other regional leaders argue that the FDP’s resistance is driven by political motives rather than public safety concerns. Similarly, the Green party supports Faeser’s proposals but insists that any weapons law reform must address broader issues, including extremist disarmament and small arms regulation.
Faeser is considering a separate legislative proposal specifically for knife regulation to overcome the FDP’s resistance and expedite the process. However, FDP representatives have expressed skepticism, arguing that the current proposals are unconvincing and that local authorities already have the power to establish knife-free zones and enforce existing laws more effectively.
The stance of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) remains uncertain. Critics from these parties argue that Faeser’s proposals are merely symbolic and emphasize the need for better enforcement of existing regulations rather than new bans.
Overall, while Faeser’s proposed reforms aim to address a serious public safety issue, political hurdles and differing views on effective solutions continue to complicate the path forward.
