Hardly used: Amnesty for switchblades ends without much response

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In the Vogtlandkreis until October 1, 2025, only a few jump knives were handed over in terms of punishment; strict weapons laws apply.

Im Vogtlandkreis wurden bis 1. Oktober 2025 nur wenige Springmesser straffrei abgegeben; strenge Waffengesetze gelten.
In the Vogtlandkreis until October 1, 2025, only a few jump knives were handed over in terms of punishment; strict weapons laws apply.

Hardly used: Amnesty for switchblades ends without much response

What's going on in Cologne? The impunity of jumping knots, which was possible until October 1, 2025, apparently did not find the hoped -for in order. The response to this exceptional regulation is low throughout Germany. According to [frankenpost.de] (https://www.frankenpost.de/inhalt.gesellschaft-straffreifreie-beit- von-sprhnbebot-wenig-gene. did not report any taxes.

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 in the weapons law that came into force in autumn 2024 have introduced strict regulations for jumping knives with the blade, which fades out on the side. This type of knives is clearly defined: the blades can be extended by pressing a button or leverage. Owns are allowed under certain conditions, but if the unauthorized possession threatens money or even imprisonment of up to three years, such as [sueddeutsche.de] (https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/geaendertes-waffenrtmesser-koenne- abzt-werden-werden-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-101-250207-367778).

In the context of these legal framework, the danger of knives is always mentioned. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, 6.3% of the accomplished acts of violence were committed with knives last year. Hesse's Interior Minister Roman Poseck therefore calls for a ban on dealing with knives in city centers and public transport. The attack in Solingen on August 23 of last year, in which a terrorist attack by IS cost three people and eight other injuries, 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 possibility for citizens to hand over their jumping knives without punishment was hardly used in most federal states. In view of the frequency of knife cases and the associated legal risks, experts advise to leave such knives better at home. After all, it is important to be aware that not only in the event of a violation of the weapons law, but also even with improper transport can threaten high penalties.

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