Scandal for sales sales: Is the discounter a source of danger?

Scandal for sales sales: Is the discounter a source of danger?

Kreuzberg, Berlin, Deutschland - In the past few weeks, an unusual article about the sale of garden makers in the discounter Norma has caused excitement. The reporter Marc Sierzputowski discovered a 56 centimeter long machete at the discounter, which is offered for only 9.99 euros. On the back of the product, it is pointed out that the blade is sharp and the machete should only be transported in the protective bag. This not only raises questions about security, but also on the actions of the sale. While a seller first denied the sale of such tools, he ultimately published the machete under the counter, which at Sierzputowski raised the suspicion that it was a "real device, no prop". The moderator Philippe Fischer commented that weapons are sold at prices of a pocket money, which in his opinion is questionable.

Ralf Schuler, Nius policy boss, described the machete as an everyday garden tool, but at the same time emphasizes the concerns about the abuse of such devices. In a critical note, he asks Sierzputowski to use a green area instead of selling such products. Alexander Kissler, who appeared in the Nius Live Studio, expressed that Macheten had lost their innocence and saw the sale to hobby gardeners extremely critical. He referred to the worrying connection between machets to acts of violence and attacks.

fear of knife power in Germany

The discussion about the increased knife attacks in Germany is given new explosives. According to the latest statistics, there were at least 15,741 knife attacks in 2024. It is particularly alarming that more than half of the suspects are foreigners in North Rhine-Westphalia. This is in the context of a broad discussion about the increase in violence by foreign perpetrators. In January 2023 there was a serious incident in which a 33-year-old stateless person from Palestine killed two young people on one train.

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) has already called for the introduction of a ban on knife into trains and buses. A review of the past five years shows that knife crime keeps appearing in the public debate. Media scientists complain about disproportionate reporting on foreign suspects who may contribute to social polarization.

racism and social tensions

These developments are not detached from the social framework. Racism in Germany, strongly shaped by its past, is not a synonym for right-wing extremism, but is also evident in more subtle forms, such as in the education and health system. Structural inequalities often affect people with a non-German first language, which leads to a disadvantageous allocation of grades and selection in schools.

Surveys make it clear that large parts of the population have racist attitudes. 23 % of the respondents believe that ethnic and religious minorities would make too many demands. It should be emphasized that 19,481 xenophobic crimes were registered in 2024, which corresponds to a significant increase compared to previous years. In particular, reporting on anti -timing racism and discrimination experiences of minorities underlines the need to actively act against these social problems.

The matters found at Norma and the steadily increasing statistics on knife attacks are part of a complex discussion that illuminates the use of violence, racism and social diversity. In a changing society, it is of crucial importance to understand the background of such topics and to develop strategies that include both the protection of citizens and the protection of human rights.