Weapons Act (WaffG) § 42a Prohibition on carrying imitation weapons and certain portable objects

1. It is prohibited
• to carry imitation weapons,
• to carry bladed weapons as per Annex 1 Section 1 Subsection 2 No. 1.1, or
• to carry knives with one-handed locking blades (one-handed knives) or fixed-blade knives with a blade length exceeding 12 cm.
2. Paragraph 1 does not apply to:
   • use in photo, film, or television recordings or theater performances,
   • transport in a locked container,
   • carrying the objects listed in Paragraph 1 Nos. 2 and 3, provided a legitimate interest is present. Further regulations remain unaffected.
3. A legitimate interest as per Paragraph 2 Sentence 1 No. 3 is deemed to exist particularly when carrying the items is connected to professional activities, cultural preservation, sports, or serves a generally recognized purpose.

Section 42a of the German Weapons Act (WaffG): What Does the Law Say?

Section 42a of the German Weapons Act regulates the so-called prohibition on carrying certain items – in other words, the ban on carrying specific objects in public. In this context, "carrying" means having a knife readily accessible or within easy reach, for example in a trouser pocket, on a belt, or in a backpack.

The law prohibits carrying:

• Imitation weapons (e.g. realistic replicas of firearms)
• Striking and thrusting weapons as defined in Annex 1, Section 1, Subsection 2, No. 1.1 of the German Weapons Act
• One-handed locking knives – knives with a blade that can be opened and locked with one hand
• Fixed-blade knives with a blade length exceeding 12 cm (4.72")

For everyday knife users, the third point is particularly important: the one-handed locking knife.

What does "knife with a one-handed locking blade" mean exactly?

"One-handed locking" knives are knives that feature a mechanism for one-handed opening and a blade lock. If a knife has only one of these characteristics, it is not affected by § 42a. 

(Source: https://www.boker.de/waffenecht)

This means a knife is § 42a compliant if

• it does not have a mechanism for one-handed opening
• or the blade cannot be locked

A pocket knife that meets both criteria, such as most Swiss Army knives or slipjoints, is also § 42a compliant.

Please note:

Please note that we have classified the item to the best of our knowledge and belief. This is generally only a guideline for you and not a binding legal advice.

It is possible that a pocket knife we consider § 42a compliant may still fall under the carrying prohibition.

Conclusion: What to Consider When Buying a Knife

If you're looking for a knife that you can legally carry in public in Germany, keep the following points in mind:

• Is it a slipjoint? → In most cases, it is compliant with Section 42a of the German Weapons Act.
• Does it have a flipper or thumb stud AND a locking mechanism? → Then it is generally not legal to carry in public under Section 42a.
• Is it a fixed blade with a blade length under 12 cm (4.72")? → Then the blade length itself is not an issue, but you should still verify how the knife is classified.
• Look for our product labels → All knives marked as “Legal to Carry in Germany” have been reviewed by us and, to the best of our knowledge and belief, comply with the applicable legal requirements.

Discover all knives that are legal to carry in Germany →

Frequently Asked Questions About Section 42a of the German Weapons Act