Weapons ban zones in NRW
North Rhine-Westphalia has had gun ban zones since the end of 2021. The state government has granted the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Interior the authority to do so. The State Office for Central Police Services (LZPD) has taken over the establishment of the weapons ban zones in coordination with the responsible district police authorities.
Initially, Düsseldorf's old town and the Cologne Ringe, Zülpicher Straße and Wiener Platz in Cologne were declared weapons ban zones, with more to follow. Interior Minister Herbert Reul:
“With the gun ban zones, we are making the streets a little safer. Especially in places and squares where crimes are repeatedly committed and where there are a lot of people, citizens should be able to feel more comfortable again.”
Herbert Reul
Minister of the Interior
Serious knife attacks had previously occurred repeatedly, particularly in Düsseldorf's old town and on Cologne's nightlife hotspots. “I am very pleased and relieved that we have created the legal framework so quickly after the recent outbreaks of violence,” said Reul.
Most gun ban zones apply at weekends and before and on public holidays, some also apply every day, around the clock. The details can be found on signs at the respective weapons ban zone. It is forbidden to carry weapons and knives with a fixed or lockable blade length of more than four centimetres during the times stated on the signs. Residents, employees of catering establishments and tradespeople are exempt from the ban.
The new regulations make it much easier for the police to intervene preventively, carry out checks and impose sanctions on offenders. Anyone who commits an administrative offense can expect a fine of up to ten thousand euros. The ban also authorizes the police to confiscate illegally carried weapons and knives. “This is not the last word in wisdom and the police will not be able to control everyone, but I am sure that the ban will have an enormously calming effect on the difficult corners of the cities,” said Reul.
The ordinance for the ban zones came into force on December 21, 2021. On an ongoing basis, the NRW State Office for Central Police Services (LZPD NRW) is then to examine, together with the district police authorities, whether existing no-weapons zones retain their status and whether further zones are required in other authorities.