Weapons Act: Are on-board knives permitted despite stricter regulations?
Nils Leiterholt
· 09.04.2025
Whether sailor's knives, kitchen knives, rigging knives or multitools - there are many sharp blades on board that can be potentially dangerous. It becomes particularly risky when they are used as weapons against people. In view of the latest political reactions to the increasing number of violent offences involving knives, skippers are also asking themselves whether these tools, which are normal for many of us, are still permitted at all.
In the recent past, there have been calls for stricter gun laws. For example, after the knife attack in Mannheim in May last year, which resulted in the death of a 29-year-old police officer. And after the horrific knife attack in Solingen in August 2024, in which three people were killed and eight others were injured, some of them critically, the German government decided on a so-called security package. Among other things, this includes a tightening of the Weapons Act.
More on the subject of law:
The package of measures from October last year is primarily concerned with "cutting and stabbing weapons" - i.e. knives. In future, it may be strictly forbidden to carry them. This may affect sporting events, sports facilities and travelling to them by bus or train. So how will this affect water sports? We spoke to both the police and a lawyer about the current legal situation. He is a sailor himself and explains below what water sports enthusiasts need to bear in mind in future.
Does the on-board knife even fall under the Weapons Act?
Section 42a of the German Weapons Act (WaffG) regulates the "Prohibition of the carrying of mock weapons and certain portable objects". According to paragraph one, it is prohibited to carry "knives with a blade that can be fixed with one hand (one-handed knives) or fixed knives with a blade length of more than 12 centimetres". In addition, it is not permitted to carry "cutting and thrusting weapons" (objects which by their nature are intended to inflict injury by directly utilising muscle power through slashing, thrusting, stabbing, striking or throwing).
"The problem is that 'sailing knives' are generally understood to be two common types: the multitool, usually from Leatherman, and something like a safety knife," says lawyer Matthias Hampel. In addition to his expertise in criminal law, the specialist lawyer for family and traffic law has a great passion for sailing.
Hampel is a partner at the law firm Hampel & Steiner GbR in Bielefeld. He explains that multi-tools in particular often fall under Section 42a: "Most of them can be used with one hand, even if their blade length is often less than twelve centimetres. As the blades of these knives can also be locked, carrying them is generally prohibited." However, paragraph two of section 42a qualifies the previous paragraph: paragraph one does not apply if there is a legitimate interest in carrying. By "legitimate interest", paragraph three means "if the carrying of the objects serves in connection with the exercise of a profession, [...], sport or a generally recognised purpose".
Is there a "comprehensible interest"?
The WaffG defines the term "carrying" as exercising "actual authority outside one's own home, business premises, one's own pacified property or a shooting range" (Annex One, Section Two, Number Four). Hampel clarifies: "The law treats the ship like your own home, it's not a public area, so you can do virtually anything. Of course, only as long as you don't make yourself liable to prosecution under other regulations, for example if the possession of the knife in question is prohibited under weapons law."
Hampel sees no problems with knives such as the Wichard "Offshore Rescue Knife" in relation to Section 42a: "The blade of the Wichard is only 7.2 centimetres long, it has no point and is also locked in the cover in such a way that one would say that it probably does not fall under this regulation." It would require two hands to get it out of the quiver, so it is not a one-handed knife.
Hampel describes on-board knives that "have a long blade and can be operated and locked with one hand" as a "hybrid form". These knives are also not allowed to be "carried" in public.
On-board knives belong deep in your pocket
Many railway stations have been declared knife or weapon ban zones as a result of the security package. "If you walk through Hamburg Central Station, for example, you inevitably have to pass through a weapons ban zone," says Matthias Hampel, "so the question naturally arises: what is the right thing to do?" Hampel explains: "As a sailor, you are basically dependent on the knife for recreational purposes, so you are allowed to carry it." The mere transport of a knife by a skipper is not considered carrying within the meaning of the Weapons Act. However, according to Hampel, it is very important for this distinction to keep the knife as deep as possible in the rucksack or travelling bag so that it is as difficult as possible to access it.
The Schleswig-Holstein state police have a similar interpretation of the regulations. They told BOOTE that boaters have an understandable interest in transporting knives through no-knife zones: "It should also be emphasised that knives and weapons may be transported from one place to another if the knives and weapons are not within reach."
Transporting an on-board knife in public spaces
The term "inaccessible" would be defined by the Weapons Act in Annex One, Section Two, Number 13: "Weapons and knives are in any case inaccessible if they are transported in a locked container. A knife is also not ready for use if it can only be reached with more than three hand grips."
Transporting a knife that can be used with one hand or whose blade is over twelve centimetres long is therefore permitted in a travel bag or at the bottom of a larger rucksack. Charterers travelling by plane need to be particularly careful. According to the safety regulations of the European Union and the USA, it is forbidden to transport knives in hand luggage. The only exception is knives with a blade length of less than six centimetres. However, this is quickly reached in practice. The regulation also applies to scissors, sharp nail files and other sharp objects.
Regulations also apply to checked baggage. Passengers should therefore familiarise themselves with the guidelines of their airline and the legal requirements of the country of arrival before packing their travel bag.
Behaviour during an inspection at sea
During an inspection at sea, the presence of knives should always be dealt with openly. Especially if they are fastened ready to hand in the cockpit or even worn on the belt. The Schleswig-Holstein State Police advises to always communicate openly and in a friendly manner in the event of an inspection by the police. "An existing knife should be addressed directly in this context," say the police.
In addition, knives should not be taken out or picked up without being asked during a check. "The police officers carrying out the check would explain in a communicative manner how a knife should be handled in the specific check situation," they explain.
Even after mooring, skippers do not have to worry about violating Section 42a of the Weapons Act by leaving the ship for a short time, says lawyer Matthias Hampel. "As long as you stay away from large crowds, it's not a problem to get off the ship when mooring to tie up the lines and still carry an on-board knife on your belt.
You should use common sense. This includes, for example, not going to the pub with an on-board knife."
Even if there is no case law on this yet, Hampel assumes that in such cases it is considered a justified interest to carry an on-board knife for sporting purposes. "If you open your eyes and use common sense to avoid unnecessary potential dangers, there shouldn't really be any problems," says Hampel. This also includes leaving the knife on board when going to the pub.
Dangerousness of the knife in the specific situation
But what is the situation like when travelling to Denmark? "In general, the Danish Weapons Act is stricter than the German one," says the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The "import of sharp and pointed weapons (including knives) with a blade of more than twelve centimetres in length without prior police authorisation" is prohibited. The same applies to "carrying daggers or knives in public places". The only exceptions are knives that serve a "recognisable purpose", such as sailing. However, these may only be carried if the blade length is less than twelve centimetres.
"In Denmark, butterfly knives and fist knives, which are banned in Germany, are also prohibited," says Hampel. In Germany, following the tightening of the Weapons Act, it is important to deal sensitively with the issue of carrying knives. The weapons prohibition zones in particular should be a reason to carry knives particularly deep inside locked luggage.
"However, if you stow an on-board knife deep in your Musto bag to transport it to the boat, you shouldn't have any problems at railway stations either," says Hampel, who regularly sails his Varianta 44 in his spare time. The owner of a knife that is not allowed to be carried would also have to prove the "dangerousness of the knife in the specific situation in terms of its use", meaning that skippers are usually on the safe side.
