The aim of the weapons ban zone is to increase objective security in the city center and improve the feeling of safety. The ordinance was extended by two years on January 31, 2025.
What gun bans are already in place?
The Weapons Act (WaffG) regulates the possession and/or carrying of certain weapons and objects nationwide. Carrying a weapon is carrying it ready for access.
Weapons that are generally prohibited include, for example, butterfly knives, fist knives, brass knuckles, steel rods, killing sticks, throwing stars, or items that pretend to be an everyday object but are actually a weapon (e.g., cane swords).
In addition, there are weapons that are permitted to be possessed, but may not be carried in public spaces:
- Apparent weapons (firearms that look deceptively similar to "real" weapons but are not so-called "edged" weapons, e.g., soft-air weapons)
- Cutting and thrusting weapons (batons, sabers, daggers, bayonets, rapiers, etc.)
- Knives with one-handed lockable blade (one-handed knives)
- Knives with fixed blade, if the blade length exceeds 12 cm
What else applies in the Stuttgart weapons ban zone?
The regulations for the Stuttgart weapons ban zone go beyond the national Weapons Act. Please note that you are not allowed to carry knives or weapons in the weapons ban zone.
Additional ban on electric pulse devices
Additional prohibition of other items
At what times does the weapons ban zone apply?
The Stuttgart gun ban zone applies
- Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturdays,
- Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Sundays,
- on days before public holidays from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. on the holiday.
You are then not allowed to carry knives, weapons and other objects with you.
Where is the gun ban zone in Stuttgart?
The weapons ban zone covers large parts of the city center. The details are shown on the city map.
A detailed list of all streets in which the additional weapons prohibition zone applies can be found in the Weapons and Knife Prohibition Zone Ordinance of the City of Stuttgart PDF-File 467,09 kB.
Are there any exceptions?
The legislator has also named exceptions in Section 42 (5) sentences 2 and 3 WaffG, which allow the carrying of weapons and knives as an exception if there is a legitimate interest. Exceptions are also listed in the Weapons and Knives Prohibition Zone Ordinance (§ 3 WMVZ VO) of the state capital Stuttgart. Below you will find a brief, but not exhaustive, overview.
Permitted carrying of weapons and objects by persons with a legitimate interest
Permitted to carry tested irritant sprays (CS gas) and clearly marked animal defense sprays.
What are the penalties for violations?
Anyone carrying a weapon or knife in the weapons ban zone at the relevant times during checks is committing an administrative offense. The offense can be punished with a fine of up to 10,000 euros . Prohibited weapons and knives can also be confiscated.
Legal basis
- Weapons and Knives Prohibition Zone Ordinance of the State Capital StuttgartPDF-File 467,09 kB
- § Section 42 Weapons Act, ordinance authorizations for prohibited zones (opens in a new tab)
- § Section 42a of the Weapons Act, prohibition of the carrying of apparent weapons and certain portable objects. (opens in a new tab)
- § Section 42b of the Weapons Act, ban on carrying weapons and knives in long-distance public transport (opens in a new tab)
- § Section 42c of the Weapons Act, control authority to prohibit the carrying of weapons and knives (opens in a new tab)
- Weapons Act, Annex 2 (to Section 2 (2) to (4)) Weapons List (opens in a new tab)
- Weapons Prohibition Zone Transfer Ordinance of the Provincial Government of 20.09.2022.PDF-File 456,46 kB
- Weapons prohibition zone subdelegation regulation of the Ministry of the Interior BW from 20.09.2022PDF-File 432,33 kB
