Hardly used: Amnesty for switchblades ends without much response

Hardly used: Amnesty for switchblades ends without much response

What's going on in Cologne? The penalty-free distribution of switchblades, which was possible until October 1, 2025, apparently did not meet with the desired response. There is little response to this exception throughout Germany. According to frankenpost.de, only one switchblade was handed in in the Vogtlandkreis in Saxony, while other authorities reported no donations whatsoever.

The picture looks similar in Hesse. Cities such as Frankfurt, Kassel, Wiesbaden and Fulda did not record any knife sales. Only in Darmstadt were two switchblades brought to the police and in the Giessen district three illegal ones. GdP chairman Jochen Kopelke emphasizes that such knives are not needed in everyday life and calls for a permanent amnesty regulation.

A serious topic

The changes to the weapons law, which came into force in autumn 2024, have introduced stricter regulations for switchblades with blades that pop out to the side. This type of knife is clearly defined: the blades can be extended by pressing a button or lever. Possession is permitted under certain conditions, but unauthorized possession can result in fines or even imprisonment of up to three years [sueddeutsche.de](https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/geaendertes- Waffenrecht-springmesser-koennen-straffrei-abgehen- Werden-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-250207-930-367778) reported.

In the context of these legal frameworks, the danger of knives is also mentioned again and again. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, 6.3% of completed violent crimes last year were committed with knives. Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck is therefore calling for a ban on the use of knives in city centers and public transport. The attack in Solingen on August 23 last year, in which an IS terrorist attack claimed the lives of three people and injured eight others, has raised additional security concerns in this regard.

The legal framework

Gun laws sometimes differ significantly between Germany and its neighbors, which often leads to confusion. It defines different types of knives and their uses, including switchblades, folding knives, fist knives and butterfly knives. While some categories, such as throwing stars, are completely banned, others have specific regulations governing their use and possession. For example, knives with a blade length of more than 8.5 cm that are not ground on both sides are also permitted, provided the conditions are met, as [kanzlei-steinhausen.de](https://kanzlei-steinhausen.de/newsfeed/ Waffengesetz-welche-messer-sind-erlaubt-welche-allowen/) explains.

The opportunity for citizens to hand in their switchblades without penalty was hardly used in most federal states. Given the frequency of knife cases and the legal risks associated with them, experts advise that it is better to leave such knives at home. Finally, it is important to be aware that high penalties can be imposed not only for violating the weapons law, but also for improper transport.

The debate about the gun law and safety in society remains exciting and it remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming months.