Summary
Germany is enforcing a strict knife ban at Christmas markets as part of a new security package passed in October following a deadly knife attack in Solingen that killed three and injured eight.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser pledged “strict enforcement” and “zero tolerance,” with fines of up to €10,000 for violations.
The ban applies to knives at festivals, markets, and large events, with police ensuring compliance.
The measures aim to enhance safety at Germany’s iconic markets, which have already seen one unrelated injury this season.
It isn’t, and has not been, illegal to carry knives out in the open in a public area. You don’t usually see people running around with 12cm Fahrtenmesser but it’s completely legal. That’s blade length, to be clear, not total length. This kind of thing. Or things like an Opinel, completely legal to EDC.
And mass gatherings aren’t the same thing as a random public place.
EDCing swords was outlawed in 2008 IIRC, now it’s aforementioned 12cm max, only a single edge etc.