Restricted zones for firearms established in Bielefeld, Bonn, Hamm, and Münster
In a bid to enhance public safety and reduce violent crime, several cities across Germany have established weapons-free zones. The latest development sees the expansion of these zones, particularly in public transportation, with Berlin leading the way.
From July 17, 2025, all trains, buses, and public transportation facilities in Berlin will be weapons-free zones. This ordinance prohibits the carrying of knives, alarm guns, and irritants, as part of a broader effort to curb violent crime in the city.
The trend towards weapons-free zones started in late 2021, with Cologne and Düsseldorf leading the way. These zones, marked by signs, were initially established at popular nightlife spots in these cities. Good experiences have been reported, with the police able to intervene preventively, penalise violations, and seize weapons more easily in these zones.
The expansion of these zones is not limited to Berlin. In Bielefeld, parts of the city centre and the boulevard near the train station will become weapons-free zones. Similarly, in Bonn, the weapons-free zone extends from the bus station via the Kaiserplatz to the Hofgarten. In Münster, the western train station area with the adjacent Bremer Platz will also be marked as a weapons-free zone.
Hamm is another city that has joined the initiative. The Bahnhofsquartier will be added as another area to the existing weapons-free zone in the Südstadt. Meanwhile, new weapons-free zones are set to be established near the main train stations of Bielefeld, Bonn, Hamm, and Münster on July 15, 2025.
The interest in establishing weapons-free zones to combat knife violence is growing, with more cities expressing their intention to follow suit. However, it's important to note that the weapons-free zones are not considered a panacea by the Ministry of the Interior.
For more information on weapons-free zones in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), visit the state Ministry of the Interior's website (internetwache.polizei). This site provides detailed information about the measures in place and the cities where weapons-free zones have been implemented.
As the situation evolves, ongoing updates and local news sources should be consulted for a comprehensive list of cities with similar initiatives. The aim is to create safer environments for everyone, and the expansion of weapons-free zones is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The policy-and-legislation of expanding weapons-free zones in Germany's public transportation, such as trains and buses, is a part of the broader politics and general-news aimed at reducing crime and justice issues. Cities like Berlin, as well as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bielefeld, Bonn, Hamm, and Münster have either already established or will soon implement these zones, marking them with signs for easy identification.
