Weapons ban zone at Reumannplatz: Achievements and new knife attacks!

Weapons ban zone at Reumannplatz: Achievements and new knife attacks!

At Reumannplatz in Vienna, one of the busiest squares in the Favoriten district, the signs point to a storm - and not just in the meteorological sense. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) takes stock after more than a year of the weapons ban zone and describes it as a success. Since its introduction in March 2024, a total of 187 weapons have been seized, including 131 knives. However, the positive balance cannot completely cover up the reality, as incidents of aggression continue to increase.

On July 15, 2025, the police announced that five suspects had been identified who had attacked a passer-by with a stabbing weapon. Tragically, two brave witnesses who wanted to help were also injured and had to be taken to hospital. Such incidents raise the question of how effective the gun ban, introduced about a year and a half ago, actually is.

The numbers speak for themselves

Security at Reumannplatz is in jeopardy. According to the statistics, the number of suspected young people between the ages of 14 and 21 in Vienna even increased by nine percent. In contrast, juvenile crime in Austria has fallen overall by around five percent. This contradictory development increases the pressure on the authorities to act.

During the key actions carried out in recent months - for example on Tuesday in Vienna-Favoriten - 2,470 reports and 147 arrests of minors were registered. Despite the efforts, there are now increasing reports of knife attacks and violent incidents in the area, endangering the safety of residents and passers-by.

Future prospects and measures

However, Karner remains optimistic and describes the weapons ban zone as an essential part of the strategy to combat youth crime. He announced that he would maintain control pressure and regularly extend the legal framework of the weapons ban zone. The extension is currently valid until the end of September 2025.

In order to counteract the growing problem of juvenile crime, a special task force was set up in March 2023. This is primarily intended to prevent the alarming increase in violent conflicts among young people. The rapid reaction of the police and the intensive controls are intended to send a signal and convey a common feeling of security.

Karner also expressed the hope that by stopping family reunification, a positive development in juvenile crime can be expected in the coming years. But experts warn: social conditions are complex and there are no simple solutions in sight. The situation at Reumannplatz remains tense, especially considering recent incidents.

Even if the weapons ban zone has had some successes, there will be a long way to go before security at Reumannplatz actually improves. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the measures can have their effect and how well they are accepted by the population.

Overall, it is clear that despite efforts to increase security at Reumannplatz, challenges remain. In addition to the statistical successes, the personal fate and the immediate safety of the people on site are of essential importance.

For further information on the topic, meinbezirk.at has summarized the current situation well. [the press](https://www.diepresse.com/19904512/messerattacken-am-reumannplatz-karner-verteidigt- Waffenverbotszone) also reported extensively on the developments at Reumannplatz, while [the Kurier](https://kurier.at/chronik/wien/wien-reumannplatz-favoriten- Waffenmarken-karner-jugendkritikitaet/403058484) was able to provide further details on youth crime.