Carrying Knives and Weapons Banned on All Public Transport and Stations in Berlin

Starting today (Thursday, July 17), a new ban in Berlin prohibits carrying knives and weapons on all S-Bahn, U-Bahn trains, buses, trams, and at all related stations. There will be no special signs indicating the restricted areas.

What Items Are Banned?

📌 All types of knives — regardless of blade length — are banned.

📌 Firearms, blank guns, signal pistols, and chemical defense weapons including pepper spray are also prohibited. Even those with a small firearms license are not allowed to carry these weapons on public transport.

What Are the Exceptions?

Emergency service personnel such as police, firefighters, and ambulance workers are exempt from the ban. There are also exceptions for restaurant staff, hairdressers, and people carrying knives for work purposes, as well as those transporting sports or hunting equipment appropriately.

The ban also allows newly purchased and packaged knives to be transported, provided they are stored in a way that they are not accessible during the journey.

Violations may result in fines of up to €10,000. Confiscation of weapons or knives is also possible.

Who Will Enforce the Rules?

Inspections will be carried out by the Berlin police. Police are now authorized to conduct checks without specific suspicion. BVG (Berlin Public Transport Authority) will support the police in these checks.

Why Was This Ban Introduced?

The Berlin Senate cited rising violent incidents as the reason, particularly referencing the fatal stabbing that occurred on April 12, 2025, on the U12 line in Charlottenburg. The risks of such attacks are especially high in crowded and enclosed spaces. According to police data, 324 knife attacks were recorded on public transport in 2024 alone.

Source: dpa - MFM