In Germany, there are numerous weapons that can be purchased without a permit from a minimum age of 18, but switchblades and automatic knives are not among them. They are among the prohibited weapons in Germany. However, this is only half the truth. As with some other weapons, the Weapons Act has certain exceptions that make it necessary to take a closer look at these knives. So, if you are interested in getting a switchblade knife that is legal in Germany, you should definitely read the following article.

Legal classification of a switchblade knife

We can already find a definition for the term weapons in the first paragraph of the Weapons Act. According to this, weapons are, among other things, portable objects which, without being intended for that purpose, are suitable, in particular because of their nature, handling or mode of action, to eliminate or reduce the ability of people to attack or defend themselves, and which are mentioned in this law. According to Annex 1 to the Weapons Act, these are drop knives, fist knives, butterfly knives and also switchblade knives. And of course, a suitable definition is also listed here right away
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"Switchblade knives are knives whose blades spring out when a button or lever is pressed and can be detected by this or when the locking device is released."

// Annex 1 Section 1 Subsection 2 No. 2.1.1

Consequently, the concept of weapons is fulfilled and the Weapons Act is fully applicable. Handling a switchblade knife is therefore only permitted to persons who have reached the age of 18. But does that even matter if automatic knives are prohibited anyway?

Are switchblades forbidden?

The handling of some weapons is prohibited in Germany. This prohibition results from the § 2 Abs. 3 WaffG. The list of these prohibited weapons, in turn, is listed in Annex 2 to the Weapons Act. And indeed, switchblades are mentioned here. Any handling of them is therefore fundamentally prohibited and even constitutes a criminal offense that can be punished with a corresponding fine or imprisonment. However, the emphasis here is on the word "in principle". As already mentioned, the Weapons Act has certain exceptions in store, which make it necessary to take a closer look at these knives.

Exceptions to the ban

Springing knives whose blade protrudes from the side of the handle are exempt from the ban, provided that the part of the blade protruding from the handle is no longer than 8.5 cm long and is not ground on both sides. However, it should be noted that these three characteristics must be considered cumulatively. All requirements must be met at the same time. Only then it is a knife that does not fall under the ban.

If you have a knife at hand, whose blade is max. 8.5 cm long and not sharpened on both sides, but still protrudes from the front of the handle, it is still a prohibited weapon. One can therefore rightly claim that all OTF knives (Out Of The Front) are generally prohibited in Germany.

Carrying a switchblade knife

Finally, of course, we are not spared § 42a WaffG. If the switchblade fulfills the mentioned requirements, it is allowed to purchase and possess it under consideration of the legal age limit, but the carrying of these knives is regulated separately.

A detailed article on § 42a WaffG would certainly be appropriate here. Briefly summarized: it deals, among other things, with the prohibition of carrying certain types of knives. These include fixed knives with a blade length of more than 12 cm and knives whose blades can be fixed with one hand (so-called one-handed knives).

The purpose of a switchblade knife is, of course, that it can be opened with one hand. That the blade is locked at the same time, we could already see from the definition to these knives. Spring knives are therefore classic one-handed knives and may not be carried in Germany. However, exceptions again confirm the rule. According to § 42a para. 2 WaffG, this ban does not apply to the carrying of one-handed knives, provided there is a legitimate interest. This is particularly the case if the carrying of the knives is in connection with the exercise of a profession, serves the customs, sports or a generally recognized purpose.

A detailed consideration of this provision would certainly go beyond the scope of this article. However, if you are interested in a separate article on the topic of "Prohibition of carrying certain portable objects", please let me know.

More information about switchblades and of course other free weapons can be found on my YouTube channel "Kwannick - Waffengesetz und Co".

Disclaimer: The excerpts from the Weapons Act are taken from the currently valid version of 01.09.2020. The author of this article assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.