lower Saxony interior Minister Boris Pistorius explains why he wants to enforce a ban on dangerous weapons, and when the police people to browse.
Interview with Constanze von Bullion Constanze von Bullion
Constanze von Bullion is in the Parliament, editors of the SZ in Berlin, responsible for the Federal Ministry of the interior and the Green. She has studied history and has been working since 1999 for the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
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On Tuesday, the Federal Council advises on the Initiative of lower Saxony and Bremen, a knife ban for public spaces. The request of the countries provides for the possibility of prohibition zones, in which many people reside – for example, in pedestrian zones, shopping centres, public transport or around kindergartens and schools. Lower Saxony interior Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) explains his view of things.
SZ: Mr Pistorius, why do you want to enforce a knife ban?
Boris Pistorius: Because in Germany everyone is running around with a knife, with fixed blade of up to twelve centimeters. Just like that. Also, certain switchblade knives with a blade up to 8.5 inches allowed the arms act. This is pretty much the most dangerous thing there is to knives.
What do you suggest?
We want only knife you are allowed to carry a fixed blade of up to six centimeters in length. The police unions are welcome. In addition, the municipalities are
we will Be soon in front of each daycare to the knives by addiction?/b>
no. Of course, it should be no controls as to American schools. And it is not a question of prohibiting the Carrying of a Swiss army knife. But it must be clear that dangerous knife, have a look at the places mentioned nothing. The police should scan in cases of reasonable suspicion or physical clashes and the found the knife can be seized. Of course we are going to provide in the legislative process exceptions, for example for craftsmen or tradesmen.
due to the suspicion that someone might be carrying a dangerous knife?
Since I rely on police experience and expertise.
Sounds rather vague. Critics already warn of the occasion-free controls.
it is not vague. And no one is put under General suspicion. I think we all agree that there are good reasons to have this knife in busy places, not with lead.
Increases the knife crime, then?
The lower Saxony crime statistics for the evaluable period for the years 2017 and 2018 remain roughly the same, but from my point of view, relatively high Numbers. When I look at the results of our lower Saxony, dark field study, then there is the subjective perception that the streets are unsafe.
reliable nationwide statistics don’t exist. We are talking about a felt growing danger?
To analyze in more detail, we will rise in the future, more statistical values. In lower Saxony we had in the past two years, around 3700 incidents with stabbing weapons, and 99 percent of the knives. In these two years, 22 people have been killed by bladed weapons, including some in public space, to us here. The bottom line is that there are too many deeds – in contrast, we want to do something.
It was mainly the AfD, which has sparked Fears of a rising knife crime. The targeted migrants. Their advance in a similar direction?
no. Such relationships, the crime statistics don’t exist. Our daily situation reports do not allow conclusions to be drawn on such a connection. But wherever the knife to be carried, they can also be used quickly. I would like to
