Flashing blades and sharp points: For as long as anyone can remember, cold steel has had a fascinating effect, especially on men. Unfortunately, for many people these days the knife is becoming looser and looser. The crime statistics show an extremely dangerous development: 3,015 crimes involving knives were committed in the previous year alone, including 248 robberies and 87 attempted murders.
Because they are readily available, regular knives are often used as weapons of chance: not specially sharpened metal, but regular kitchen knives, readily available in cutlery stores. Or small pocket folders, handy to store. If, as in many cases, it is a violent crime, the weapon used in the crime is easily and quickly confiscated. Especially since the inhibition threshold for aggressive confrontations continues to drop.
Certain types of knives are now proudly carried – covertly, even overtly – by certain “wild types”. Namely when the bare knife becomes a sign of strength, or a proud status symbol: from the Rambo to the throwing knife to the change knife. Popular with youth gangs: the butterfly knife.
In the “Krone” interview, psychiatrist Prof. Alexander Bernhaut bluntly pointed out that the statistical increase in knife violence “definitely also has something to do with a transcultural influence”. This cannot be denied and can be objectified.
In gang wars the knife is loose
As “Krone” research shows, especially boys from the age of 14 and young men up to about 30 years of age are increasingly carrying knives. In conflicts, such as gang wars in the outskirts of Vienna and in “problem parks”, the fists fly first. But as soon as the first knife is drawn, the blood flows – until the dispute is resolved.
If you flip through the crime stats, the terrifying figure is that in the previous year alone, 3,015 crimes were committed with stab weapons: 87 attempted murders, 291 bodily injuries, 1,027 dangerous threats, or 248 robberies stand out from the knife stats.
Dagger in historical walking stick
Weapons designed to imitate another object or disguised as everyday objects are prohibited. This includes, for example, a historic walking stick in which a camouflaged dagger is hidden. Today, when police invade the drug scene, they increasingly come across brass knuckles, blackjacks, steel bars and blades, which are banned.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
