Weapons ban: Zombie” knives are urgently needed to be handed in by December!

Weapons ban: Zombie” knives are urgently needed to be handed in by December!

The debate about gun ownership and control is more current than ever in France. An important deadline ends on December 7, 2025, by which all owners of dangerous bladed weapons must hand them in to the police or gendarmerie. Otherwise, they face drastic consequences: up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros. These measures are part of a new decree (n°2025-894) issued on September 5, 2025, which classifies certain weapons such as “zombie” knives and American brass knuckles as category A1, which strictly prohibits their possession and sale. France3 reports that this regulation primarily ensures the safety of young people to protect in schools and public spaces.

The political discussion is underpinned not only by laws but also by worrying statistics. According to Naïma Moutchou, Vice-President of the National Assembly, violence among young people in France is an issue that is gaining increasing regional and social influence. She found that between 2016 and 2023, around 20% of those arrested for gun possession were minors, which equates to around 3,000 young people affected annually. Carrying bladed weapons among this age group has become a widespread phenomenon, driven by high levels of insecurity and social tension. Moutchou also recommends using more video cameras in schools to combat violence. Franceinfo is dedicated to the issue of gun ownership rates among minors, so that awareness of the problem continues is sharpened.

Rules and deadlines

The decree provides detailed deadlines for submission. Private individuals have until December 7, 2025 to hand in their banned weapons. Shops that sell such weapons must clear their inventories by March 7, 2026. The sale and possession of weapons that belong to category D is permitted under certain conditions. The ban on selling weapons to minors is particularly important. Violations of these rules result in high penalties.

The statistics are alarming: between 2019 and 2023, between 16% and 23% of people charged with gun crimes were minors. What is particularly frightening is that knives are used in most cases of juvenile crime - 57% of all homicides committed by minors involve bladed weapons. This shows that combating gun violence among youth is essential to preventing future incidents.

Prevention and social responsibility

The new regulations and reports create a strong awareness in society. The challenge is not only legal, but also requires addressing the endless problems that lead to gun violence. Moutchou emphasizes that there is no uniform reason for gun ownership among young people; many carry weapons to defend themselves or to avoid being outnumbered in violent conflicts. There are serious concerns about the psychological health of young people living in environments where violence becomes a means of conflict resolution.

Given the proliferation of weapons and the risk they pose, we agree with the call for social responsibility. It is up to parents, schools and the entire community to carry out prevention work and show young people alternatives to violence. This is crucial for the future security and well-being of our society.