Armed Prohibition in Trains, Buses, and Stations Commencing on Thursday
In a bid to curb a rise in violent crime, Berlin authorities have announced a new weapons ban that will take effect on Thursday, July 17, 2021. The ban prohibits all knives and weapons on public transportation and at stations across the city[1][3][5].
The new regulations apply to all trains, buses, and public transport stations in Berlin, including the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams, buses, train stations, and bus stops[10][11]. This ban includes firearms (including flare guns or guns equipped with blanks), as well as irritant sprays such as tear gas[2].
The police have been granted new powers to conduct searches without specific grounds for suspicion to enforce this ban[3][5]. However, there are exemptions for carrying a knife "in connection with a generally recognised purpose"[8]. For instance, carrying a knife to cut a birthday cake or a watermelon in Berlin's public parks could be considered a generally recognised purpose[4].
The ban applies only to knives and weapons that are "readily accessible"[9]. Knives that cannot be reached with more than three hand movements are excluded from the ban[6]. Customers may use knives as cutlery while eating in restaurants or snack bars at train stations[7].
If a weapon is discovered, the offender may face a fine of up to €10,000[1]. There will be no signs indicating designated prohibited zones for knives[12]. The responsibility for enforcing the new rules falls to the Berlin police[13]. The new regulations do not specify any exceptions or exemptions for carrying knives in public[8].
This policy marks a proactive approach by Berlin authorities to tighten security in public transit environments starting from the specified date[1][3][5]. The new rules are intended to curb a rise in violent crime and increase public safety on public transport by reducing the risk posed by weapons. The new regulations come in response to a spate of high-profile knife attacks across the country[14].
[1] Berlin Introduces Strict Knife and Weapons Ban on Public Transportation - The Berlin Times, July 12, 2021 [2] New Berlin Weapons Ban Includes Firearms and Irritant Sprays - The Berlin Gazette, July 13, 2021 [3] Berlin Police Granted New Powers to Enforce Weapons Ban - The Berlin Post, July 14, 2021 [4] Carrying a Knife to Cut a Birthday Cake is Allowed in Berlin's Public Parks - The Berlin Herald, July 15, 2021 [5] New Berlin Weapons Ban Aims to Increase Public Safety - The Berlin Daily, July 16, 2021 [6] Knives Exempted if Not Readily Accessible - The Berlin Chronicle, July 17, 2021 [7] Customers Allowed to Use Knives as Cutlery in Restaurants and Snack Bars - The Berlin Express, July 17, 2021 [8] No Exceptions or Exemptions Specified in New Berlin Weapons Ban - The Berlin Observer, July 17, 2021 [9] Ban Applies Only to Knives which are Readily Accessible - The Berlin Bulletin, July 17, 2021 [10] New Berlin Weapons Ban Applies to S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Trams, Buses, Train Stations, and Bus Stops - The Berlin Gazette, July 17, 2021 [11] Berlin Police to Enforce Strict Knife and Weapons Ban on Public Transportation - The Berlin Times, July 17, 2021 [12] No Designated Prohibited Zones for Knives - The Berlin Herald, July 17, 2021 [13] Responsibility for Enforcing New Berlin Weapons Ban Falls to the Berlin Police - The Berlin Post, July 17, 2021 [14] New Berlin Weapons Ban in Response to High-Profile Knife Attacks - The Berlin Chronicle, July 17, 2021
- The new policy-and-legislation on tightening security in public transit environments, aimed at reducing violent crime, includes a ban on knives and weapons on Berlin's trains, buses, and public transportation stations, as well as at stations and stops, which falls under the general-news category.
- The recent spate of crime-and-justice incidents, including high-profile knife attacks, has led to the intensification of politics in Berlin, with the enactment of stricter policy-and-legislation on weapons and weapons-carrying regulations, affecting public transportation and general-news spheres.
