Cops Nab Knives in Frankfurt's Booze-Fueled Fight Zone
Weapon seized within Frankfurt's gun-prohibited area. - Weapon confiscated within Frankfurt's gun-free zone: a knife.
Let's dive into the chaotic heart of Frankfurt, specifically the party-centric neighborhood of Alt-Sachsenhausen. This place has been under a temporary drunk brawl ban for a few months now, and guess what? You got it - the boys in blue have been busting up plenty of blades during routine check-ups. On a Saturday night scuffle, the cops nabbed a swanky switchblade, three cool one-handed knives, and an infamous neck knife.
The boneheads who thought it was a swell idea to roll into the bar district packin' heat are now facing the music. ol' law enforcement has slapped 'em with bans from the party zone and is ready to throw the book at 'em. The booze district, a.k.a the nightlife hotspot, started rockin' a weapon ban zone back in January, with the no-nonsense ravers' paradise enforcing the ban Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Violators of the Unruly Raves Zone better brace themselves for fines up to 10,000 smackers. The law doesn't look kindly on carrying weapons as defined by the Weapons Act or sharp knives sporting blades longer than four centimeters in this district. Frankfurt's notorious red-light neighborhood has been living under a weapons ban for quite some time, and now it's all-day, all-night.
According to the city's toughest cop, Stefan Müller, this weapon ban is all about victim protection. It may not be enough to ward off terrorists and cold-blooded killers, but it sure can make a difference when drunks start swingin' fists.
Weapon ban zones can also be found in other Hessian cities like Wiesbaden and Limburg.
- Unruly Raves Zone
- Boogie-Down Ban
- Cops
- Party District
- Frankfurt am Main
- Weekend
- Frankfurter Red Light District
- Victim Protection
A Closer Look at the Law
Under German law, these kinds of zone bans generally fall under state-level security ordinances (Gefahrenabwehrverordnungen) and federal weapons laws (Waffengesetz). Here's a breakdown:
Danger Zone Ordinances (Gefahrenabwehrverordnungen)
Local authorities can set up weapon ban zones (Waffenverbotszonen) in areas prone to violence via state-level ordinances. These are usually temporary but can be extended for districts like nightlife zones during weekends.
Weapons Act (Waffengesetz)
The Weapons Act prohibits carrying weapons "in public gatherings or establishments serving alcohol" (§ 42 WaffG). Exceptions usually require a valid permit, which is rarely granted for such zones.
Prohibited Items
- Firearms: Including legally owned guns (except for professional use).
- Bladed weapons: Knives with blades longer than 4 cm.
- Impact weapons: Batons, brass knuckles, or objects designed to injure.
Penalties
- Administrative fines: Up to €10,000 for carrying prohibited weapons without authorization (§ 53 WaffG).
- Criminal charges: Unauthorized firearm possession can lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years (§ 52a WaffG).
- Enhanced penalties: Apply in designated zones due to heightened "public danger" classification.
- The temporary drunk brawl ban in Frankfurt's party-centric neighborhood, Alt-Sachsenhausen, has led to the confiscation of numerous knives during routine check-ups, including switchblades, one-handed knives, and neck knives.
- Despite the weapon ban zone enforced Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, violators face fines up to 10,000 smackers under the Unruly Raves Zone.
- The implementation of weapon ban zones in Frankfurt is centered around victim protection, as stated by the city's toughest cop, Stefan Müller.
- The law considers weapons bans under state-level security ordinances (Gefahrenabwehrverordnungen) and federal weapons laws (Waffengesetz), with laws such as the Weapons Act prohibiting carrying weapons in public gatherings or establishments serving alcohol.
