Further demands: sharp criticism and a broad alliance for a knife ban

Doing good for all is an art that no one can do. Interior Secretary Karner currently finds himself in this very proverbial dilemma. As the “Krone” reported, in the future there will be strict exclusion zones for knives in the country: local areas, closed built-up areas outside, parks and sports facilities, amusement parks, events such as tent and fire brigade festivals, public transport as well as schools and kindergartens. Knives may only be carried there in exceptional cases – but the famous pocket or Swiss knife, whose blade can only be opened with both hands, is not (yet) affected.

Sales ban required according to German model
While on the one hand there is harsh criticism of his plans for a new “ban on carrying knives”, experts are in favor of the new regulation – some are even calling for even stricter measures. Dr. Armin Kaltenegger, chief lawyer at the Road Safety Board, explains in an interview with the “Krone”: “The new prohibition law is certainly the right approach, but there is no accompanying sales ban. The fact that you can still buy switchblades, butterfly knives and machetes in stores in this country is fatal. “We have to start here and come up with a scheme based on the German model,” Kaltenegger says.

Even on the online forum “Krone” there is widespread disagreement about Karner’s approach. But the ÖVP man maintains his position: “With the knife ban we give the police an important instrument to protect the population and disarm violent criminals. Pocket knives are of course still allowed while walking or hunting.”

The hope remains that the new regulations will not just be a kind of “occupational therapy” for the domestic executive…