At the latest meeting of the Council of Ministers, the government of the state of Baden-Württemberg approved the regulation banning weapons and knives on public transport for consultation. This measure follows on from current crime data and aims to sustainably minimise security risks in public spaces, particularly in the area of local public transport.
Background and rationale for the measure
The decision is based, among other things, on the latest crime statistics, according to which Baden-Württemberg is considered one of the safest federal states. Nevertheless, data from the past year showed that knife attacks in public transport in particular have led to a worrying increase in incidents. In 2024, 222 cases of knife attacks were recorded – an increase of 16.8 per cent since records began in 2022. In most cases, the incidents involved threats, although offences involving dangerous bodily harm also played a role.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Thomas Strobl emphasised that the increased level of security can only be maintained in the long term by consistently intervening in current crime trends. Particularly in local public transport, where people come together in a confined space, the carrying of weapons and knives poses a significant risk. The ordinance is therefore intended to help reduce the potential danger of these offences in public spaces.
Content and scope of the ordinance
The planned regulation includes a general ban on carrying weapons and knives in all means of public transport within the state of Baden-Württemberg. Exceptions are planned for certain professional groups and situations. Accordingly, emergency services, fire brigade, civil defence and disaster relief personnel remain unaffected by this ban in the course of their official duties. People who carry knives as part of traditional activities such as folklore, hunting, fishing or sports are also exempt.
In addition, in view of the current changes in weapons legislation, the draft ordinance also provides for an adjustment of the existing prohibited zones. In the future, city and district authorities will be authorised to set up additional prohibited zones with general knife bans in selected public places. This regulation applies regardless of the type of knife or the length of the blade, provided that the legal requirements are met.
Perspectives and economic relevance
From an economic perspective, the measure is not only important for safety reasons, but also has an impact on the image and smooth operation of public transport. A safe public transport environment strengthens the population’s trust in the use of public transport and contributes to the stability of the regional mobility network. The implementation of such safety precautions is also an important prerequisite for securing long-term investments in public transport and increasing the competitiveness of Baden-Württemberg as a business location.
Consultation process and next steps
The Ministry of the Interior is initiating the hearing procedure as the next step. Local state associations and other interest groups now have the opportunity to comment on the draft regulations. The aim of this procedure is to find a consensus-based solution through a broadly coordinated dialogue that meets both public safety requirements and the practical concerns of local public transport.
The planned measure of banning weapons and knives on public transport shows how current developments in crime statistics are being implemented in concrete political measures. The project underlines the state government’s efforts to continuously increase the level of security in public spaces and to respond flexibly to future challenges.
