(de-news.net) – In the aftermath of the substantial damage observed on New Year’s Eve in Berlin, there is a growing demand for decisive measures. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) has proposed the implementation of more stringent border controls and reinforced gun legislation. Wegner posits that the prohibition of certain pyrotechnic items can only be effectuated through enhanced border checks, urging the federal government and law enforcement agencies to address this pressing concern. He also underscored the necessity of fortifying gun laws to mitigate the occurrence of violent incidents during New Year’s Eve celebrations. In his critique of Interior Minister Faeser, Wegner lamented the lack of earlier implementation of rigorous regulations, advocating for the introduction of a small firearms license, which would entail proof of expertise for the handling of blank-firing, irritant gas, or signal weapons.

Burkard Dregger, the CDU’s spokesperson for internal affairs in the Berlin House of Representatives, highlighted the pervasive issue of illicit explosives being smuggled from Eastern Europe. Dregger called for diplomatic engagement with the implicated countries to devise strategies aimed at curtailing the illegal importation of such materials.

Echoing these sentiments, Heiko Teggatz, the deputy chairman of the German Police Union, pointed to the customs’ incapacity to effectively manage due to manpower shortages. He further noted that the federal police are presently devoid of the authority to search for illegal fireworks during border checks. Teggatz emphasized the need for swifter and more consistent punitive measures against offenders to establish a deterrent effect for future New Year’s Eve festivities.