In Finland, amendments to the Criminal Code came into force at the beginning of the year, which strengthen the ban on carrying knives, axes and other dangerous objects in public places without a valid reason. This was reported by the Finnish broadcaster Yle.
From now on, a person who is found with a folding knife, knife or axe in a public place without a logical explanation may receive not only a fine, but also a sentence of imprisonment for a term of up to one year.
The police note that it all depends on the circumstances. If, for example, a tourist carries a knife or an axe on a train while going on a hike in Lapland, this will not be considered a violation, since there is a clear explanation of the purpose. However, in the absence of such a justification, law enforcement officers will interpret this as a violation of the law.
“The same applies to a situation where someone comes with a baseball bat to the center of Helsinki. If it is clear that you are going to play baseball, there are no questions, but if you are walking with a bat in the center at 2:30 am on a weekend, the police will find it difficult to believe such a version,” explained Police Inspector Konsta Arvelin.
The changes also provide for tougher sanctions for firearm-related offenses. In particular, the minimum sentence for serious crimes in this category has been increased to two years, while previously it was four months.
At the same time, in Germany, the largest police union called for a nationwide ban on carrying weapons on public transport, as the rules currently vary depending on the federal state. In Italy, it is proposed to allow random checks using metal detectors in educational institutions.
