Berlin - The German parliament approved tighter gun-control laws on Friday in a move designed to stop the spread of violent crime. The new legislation bans the carrying of replica firearms and so- called airsoft guns as well as certain types of knives.
"The change to the gun control laws will ensure greater security ... and counter threatening situations in public places," said Reinhard Grindel, a domestic affairs spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats.
There are around 3 million imitation and airsoft guns in circulation in Germany. It is often difficult for police to tell them from real ones when confronting suspects.
The new law bans the public display of fake guns and airsoft weapons, which work on the principle of compressed gas expanding to force a pellet down the gun's barrel.
It will also be forbidden to carry combat knives and knives with a fixed blade longer than 12 centimetres.
People caught violating the new law will be subject to a fine of 10,000 euros (14,800 dollars).
