Vienna police chief calls for a ban on sharp knives for more safety!

Vienna police chief calls for a ban on sharp knives for more safety!

There is a sense of alarm in Vienna's favorites: the Vienna police removed a shocking 120 knives from circulation last year. In a recent interview with ORF, state police chief Gerhard Pürstl called for a general ban on carrying knives in order to increase safety on the streets. At the same time, he also emphasizes the urgent need to tighten gun laws.

Pürstl makes it clear that he considers knives to be one of the greatest dangers in public spaces. He cannot understand why people travel with such dangerous objects. In 2022, a total of 175 dangerous items were confiscated in Vienna-Favoriten, of which more than two thirds, namely 120, were knives.

Tightening of laws and security concerns

In view of these facts, Pürstl calls for improved networking between the authorities, especially with regard to psychological test results. The aim of the planned tightening of the law is to create a balance between legal gun ownership and the population's need for security. “Taking weapons outside your own four walls should be prohibited,” explained Interior Minister Gerhard Karner. He has already commissioned experts to develop a specific legislative proposal that, among other things, should focus on certain types of knives, such as one-hand knives or knives with longer blades. [BMI]

Existing weapon ban zones in Vienna are currently offering initial success: Since the introduction of these zones in March 2024, 118 banned weapons, including 80 knives, have been seized in Vienna-Favoriten. At Praterstern, where there is also such a zone, 95 weapons were confiscated, including 73 knives. These measures have calmed scenes in both zones and led to a slight decrease in violent crime.

Increased controls and drug-related crime

However, these increased controls have not only had positive effects on gun safety. The police also recorded an increase in reports of drug-related crime. The measures are considered a success by the police and the extension of the weapons ban zones has already been decided. Pürstl sees this as an important step towards improving general security.

The discussion about a general ban on carrying knives and the plans to tighten the law show that a rethink is taking place in Vienna. Pürstl and Karner rely on preventative measures to comprehensively protect the population and counteract violent clashes. Whether and how the new regulations will ultimately be implemented remains to be seen.

Further background information and current developments on this topic can be found at [ORF] and [Cosmo].