Overview

• Hessian schools have recorded nearly 30 incidents involving knives and similar weapons over the past 2½ years, including 15 violent attacks causing injuries in 2024.
• The ban will cover a wide array of items, from knives and steel rods to soft‐air guns, ammunition, fireworks and dangerous chemicals, with self‐defense sprays exempted.
• Violators could face fines of up to €10,000 in addition to disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion.
• School principals will have authority to involve police in cases of suspected weapon possession and may grant limited exemptions for school events.
• An emergency decree is set to take effect at the start of the new school year, with plans to embed the prohibition in Hessen’s school law thereafter.