Strict Prohibition of Weapons on Buses and Trains in Berlin Aims to Combat Knife Violence
Berlin, July 17, 2025 — A new Senate regulation, passed in June, has made it illegal to carry knives and weapons on Berlin's public transport, including suburban trains, subways, buses, streetcars, and associated facilities such as stations, platforms, and entrances [1]. However, the ban does not apply to everyone, as there are clear exceptions designed to accommodate practical necessities in professional and commercial contexts.
One such exception is for police and firefighters, who are exempt when performing their official duties [1]. Another exception applies to chefs and caterers, who are allowed to transport knives as part of their work, provided they are used for professional purposes [1]. The regulation also permits the transport of newly purchased knives and weapons if they are still in their original packaging and being taken from the point of purchase to a destination such as home or work [1].
The Senate's regulation aims to prohibit the general carrying of weapons by the public while allowing for practical necessities in professional and commercial contexts. The regulation does not provide exhaustive legal definitions for each exception, but it clearly states the intent [2]. For instance, the ban applies even to those who otherwise have a small firearms license (Kleiner Waffenschein) [2]. There is no requirement for public signage highlighting the ban or exceptions at affected locations [2].
The new regulation has led to increased knife checks on Berlin's buses and trains, with exceptions made for items like watermelons or cake [4]. Officers at U-Bahnhof Frankfurter Allee confiscated another one-handed knife from a tattooed man [5], and during an action, several knives were seized, including two one-handed knives from two teenagers on the U8 line at U-Bahnhof Bernauer Straße [6].
The police have initiated an administrative offense procedure against the two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, who claimed they had the knives for self-defense purposes [7]. The mother of the teenagers, who was contacted on the phone in Arabic, did not sound worried and allowed them to find their way home alone [8].
It is important to note that the regulation is designed to prevent abuse, and the Berlin Senate is explicit in its goal: “Weapons and knives have no place in public spaces and on public transport… This regulation sets a limit and sends a clear signal: No to knives in public spaces” [3].
As for the weapon-free zones in Kreuzberg, Görlitzer Park, Kottbusser Tor, and Leopoldplatz in Wedding, the same exceptions apply, although no fines have been issued yet due to the installation of warning signs being delayed [9]. The police are conducting regular checks to ensure compliance with the new regulation and have held a media event at Alexanderplatz to publicize the new rule [10].
In summary, while the new Berlin Senate regulation bans weapons, knives, pepper spray, signal pistols, and starter pistols on public transport, there are exceptions for police and firefighters, chefs and caterers, and newly purchased knives and weapons. These exceptions are narrowly defined to prevent abuse, and the Berlin Senate is clear in its goal: to ensure the safety of Berlin's public spaces and public transport.
| Exception | Scope | Notes | |-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Police, firefighters | On duty | Only during official duties | | Chefs, caterers | For work purposes | Must be for professional use | | Newly purchased knives/weapons | In original packaging, en route | From store to destination only |
The new Senate regulation, designed to prevent weapons and knives in public spaces, includes exceptions for professionals such as chefs, caterers, and police officers performing their official duties [1,3]. Additionally, the transportation of newly purchased knives or weapons is permitted under the regulation, provided they are still in their original packaging and being taken from the point of purchase to a destination such as home or work [1].
