Two weapons ban zones are being set up in the city of Cologne.
This means that it is no longer permitted to carry knives with a blade length of 4 cm or more at certain times in the signposted areas on Kölner Ringen and Zülpicher Straße, in addition to the previous regulations on carrying weapons such as firearms, knives and irritant spraying devices. If violations are detected during a police check within these areas, fines of up to 10,000 euros may be imposed.
Before entering the weapons ban zones and within these areas, the sign shown above indicates the weapons ban. The additional sign below the prohibition sign also indicates the prohibition period at weekends and before public holidays and on carnival days between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
According to an ordinance issued by the Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia, the carrying of weapons and other dangerous objects is prohibited in certain areas over and above the regulations already in force under the Weapons Act.
The aim is to further increase security for citizens.
The ban will apply from December 21, 2021.
- Any type of firearm and alarm weapons
- apparent weapons
- Cutting, thrusting and stabbing weapons
- Knives with a fixed or lockable blade over four centimeters
- Irritant spraying devices without an approval or test mark from the Federal Criminal Police Office (no animal defense sprays)
- Electrocution devices
- Crossbows
The Ordinance on the Prohibition of the Carrying of Weapons and Dangerous Objects in Weapons Prohibition Zones applies in addition to the existing provisions of the Weapons Act. Permits to carry weapons under weapons law remain unaffected by this regulation.
Excluded from the ban are the police, the German Armed Forces, customs administration, district law enforcement services, fire departments, rescue services, medical care services, publicly commissioned security services and employees of cash and valuables transports.
Exceptions to this regulation apply to persons who can demonstrate a legitimate interest within the meaning of Section 42 (6):
- The use of food knives is permitted for outdoor catering.
- Persons who carry a weapon or knife with the consent of another person in his or her domestic authority area are also exempt from this regulation if the carrying serves the purpose of the stay in the domestic authority area or is related to it.
- This also applies to tradespeople based in the prohibited weapons area and authorized to trade in weapons/dangerous objects.
- There are special regulations for drivers of motor vehicles used for passenger transportation in scheduled services and cabs.
Violation of the ban on carrying weapons within the weapons prohibition zones constitutes an administrative offense and can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros. The weapons, knives and dangerous objects can be confiscated with the aim of confiscation.
In addition, criminal and regulatory violations of the Weapons Act within and outside of weapons prohibition zones are consistently prosecuted.