Gun law in the Czech Republic explained

Gun laws in the Czech Republic in many respects differ from those in other European Union member states (see Gun laws in the European Union). The "right to acquire, keep and bear firearms" is explicitly recognized in the first Article of the Firearms Act. At the constitutional level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms includes the "right to defend one's own life or life of another person also with arms under conditions stipulated by law".

In the Czech Republic, firearms are available to anyone, subject to acquiring a firearms license. Firearm licenses may be obtained in a way similar to a driving license; by passing a proficiency exam, medical examination and having no criminal record. Unlike in most other European countries, Czech firearms legislation also permits citizens to carry concealed weapons for self-defense; 260,027 out of 316,859 gun license holders have a concealed carry license (31 December 2023).[1] The most common reason for firearm possession by Czech gun owners is for protection, with hunting and sport shooting being less common. Additionally, people can join government endorsed advanced shooting training courses with their privately owned firearms and become a civilian reservist.[2]

The beginnings of Czech civilian firearms possession dates back to 1421, with the first use of firearms as the primary weapons of Hussite militia (see History of Czech civilian firearms possession). Firearms became indispensable tools for the mostly-commoner militia in a war for religious freedom and political independence. Firearms possession became common throughout and after the Hussite wars. The universal right to keep arms for "all people of all standing" was formally affirmed in the 1517 Wenceslaus Agreement. Throughout its 600-year history, Czech firearms legislation remained permissive, with the exception of the periods of German Nazi occupation and of the Communist regime.

The English term pistol originated in 15th-century Czech language.[3] Mariánská skála in Ústí nad Labem is Europe's oldest continually-open shooting range, established in 1617.[4]

History

See main article: History of Czech civilian firearms possession.

History of Czech civilian firearms possession extends over 600 years back, when local militia became the first force whose military strategy and tactics depended on mass use of firearms in battlefield warfare during the 1419 - 1434 Hussite wars.

In 1419, the Hussite revolt against Catholic church and Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor started. The ensuing Hussite wars over religious freedom and political independence represented a clash between professional Crusader armies from all around Europe, relying mostly on standard medieval tactics and cold weapons, and primarily commoners' militia-based Czech forces which relied on use of firearms. First serving as auxiliary weapons, firearms gradually became indispensable for the Hussite armies.

1421 marks a symbolical beginning of the Czech civilian firearms possession due to two developments: enactment of formal duty of all inhabitants to obey call to arms by provisional elected Government in order to defend the country and first battle in which Hussite Taborite militia employed firearms as the main weapons of attack.[5]

Universal right to keep arms was affirmed in 1517 Wenceslaus Agreement. In 1524 the Enactment on Firearms was passed, establishing rules and permits for carrying of firearms. Firearms legislation remained permissive until the 1939-1945 German occupation. The 1948-1989 period of Communist dictatorship marked another period of severe gun restrictions.[6]

Permissive firearms legislation returned in 1990s after the fall of Communist regime. Today, the "right to acquire, keep and bear arm" is explicitly recognized in the first Article of the Firearms Act.[7] On constitutional level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms includes the "right to defend own life or life of another person also with arms".[8]

Article 6(4) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms

Czech Constitutional Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms Article 6(4) states that "the right to defend own life or life of another person also with arms is guaranteed under conditions set out in the law."

Media dubbed the provision "Czech Republic's second amendment" both in connection with the protection of the right to keep and bear arms in the US constitution and due to the fact that before approval of this provision, the Czech Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms had only been amended once since adoption in 1992.[9]

According to the Czech gun laws expert and attorney Tomáš Gawron the provision bears no resemblance to the American second amendment. Unlike its US counterpart, the Czech provision doesn't stipulate a restraint on Government's power, but only symbolically sets out significance of the mentioned right and otherwise leaves the Government a free hand in setting detailed conditions in law. By being mostly symbolic, the provision is more similar to the Article 10 of Mexican constitution. Also while the American second amendment centers on the right to keep and bear arms, the Czech provision deals primarily with right of personal defense, including with arms.[10] [11]

2002 Firearms Act

Cornerstones of current Czech gun law remain the same since the 1990s: precisely defined requirements that an applicant must meet in order to be granted a license. Once a person obtains the necessary license, the law is relatively permissive as regards both the type of firearms that become legally accessible, as well as possibility of their concealed carry for personal protection. At the same time, the issuing authority (police) firearm owners' database is connected to information needed for a background check and red flags any incidents that may lead to loss of license requirements. Similarly, health clearance by the general practitioner is needed for periodical renewal of license (every ten years).

Under Act No. 119/2002 Coll. every citizen that meets the act's conditions has the right to have firearms license issued and can then obtain a firearm.[12] [13] Holders of D (exercise of profession) and E (self-defense) licenses, which are also shall-issue, can carry up to two concealed firearms for protection.[14]

Minimum ageAmmunition restrictionNote
A – Collecting213 pcs or 1 smallest production package of the same type, caliber & brand[15] The only license type under which an A-category firearm may be acquired (subject to may-issue exemption). In case of A-category firearm possession, the license holder must allow access for inspection of its safe storage to police officers.[16] 114,592
B – Sport18
15 for members of a shooting club
None174,528
C – Hunting18
16 for pupils at schools with hunting curriculum
None120,320
D – Exercise of profession21
18 for pupils at schools conducting education on firearms or ammunition manufacturing
Only ammunition for the firearm in possession (no restriction on quantity).Cannot own any firearms (unless holder also of another type of license), only possess & carry concealed firearms owned by the employer (any category).
Open carry for members of Municipal Police, Czech National Bank's security while in duty
69,625
E – Protection of life, health and property21Only ammunition for the firearm owned (no restriction on quantity).Concealed carry
(up to 2 guns ready for immediate use)
260,277
Short Title:Firearms Act
Legislature:Parliament of the Czech Republic
Long Title:Act on Firearms and Ammunition
Citation:No. 119/2002 Coll.
Passed By:Chamber of Deputies
Passed By2:Senate
Date Passed:6 February 2002
Date Passed2:13 March 2002
Date Signed:20 March 2002
Signed By:President Václav Havel
Date Promulgated:9 April 2002
Date Commenced:1 January 2003
Bill Citation:Sněmovní tisk č. 1071 (3rd Legislature)
Introduced By:Zeman Government
Date Introduced:27 September 2001
Date Distributed:3 October 2001
Rapporteur:Petr Koháček
Committee Responsible:Defense and Security Committee
1St Reading:25 October 2001
2Nd Reading:29 January 2002–31 January 2002
3Rd Reading:6 February 2002
Bill Date2:18 February 2002
Committee Responsible2:Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee
Rapporteur2:Jaroslav Horák
Second Chamber Action:passed
Passed2:13 March 2002
Related Legislation:Regulation of Ministry of Interior No. 221/2017 Coll., on Execution of Certain Sections of Firearms and Ammunition Act (Firearms Regulation)
Repealed By:No. 90/2024 Coll. (see below)
Status:In force

Types of licenses

There are five types of gun license; however, these should not be mistaken with the categories for guns:[17]

Obtaining a license

An applicant applies for a gun license at a designated local office of the National police. If the conditions of age, qualification, health clearance, criminal integrity and personal reliability are met and a fee of 700 CZK (US$) per type is paid, the license shall be issued in thirty days.[18] The license must be renewed every ten years (no need to undergo qualification exam if the application is filed at least two months before termination of the previous license; health clearance still necessary[19]).

Age

To obtain a B or C type license, the applicant must be at least 18 years old. Under special circumstances, the applicant need only be 15 if a member of a sporting club, or 16 if taught hunting in schools with such a curriculum. To obtain an A, D or E type license, the applicant must be 21.[20]

Qualification

Obtaining the license requires passing a theoretical and practical exam.

A person can obtain any combination of the types at once, but must make his selections known before the exam and the highest score needs to be met.[37] Typically, people obtain E and B type because these two types provide the best versatility (almost any firearm can be owned and carried concealed). The D type is required by law for members of the municipal police (members of the state police do not need a license for on-duty firearms) and does not itself permit private gun ownership (unless the person obtains at least one additional license type).[38]

Health clearance

Applicant (license holder) must be cleared by his general practitioner as being fit to possess, carry and use a firearm. The health check includes probes into the applicant's anamnesis (i.e. medical history) and a complete physical screening (including eyesight, hearing, balance). The doctor may request examination by a specialist in case he deems it necessary to exclude illnesses or handicaps stated in the respective governmental regulation. Specialist medical examination is obligatory in case of illnesses and handicaps that restrict the ability to drive a car.[39]

Governmental Regulation No. 493/2002 Coll. divides the listed illnesses and handicaps into four groups, covering various issues from psychological and psychiatrical to eyesight and hearing (for example, the applicant must be able to hear casual speech over distance of 6 meters to be cleared for the E type). Generally, the regulation is more permissive when it comes to the license type A and B, and more strict with view to the other types, listing which illnesses and handicaps may curtail or outright prevent positive clearance by the general practitioner.[40] The outcome of the medical examination may be either full clearance, denial, or conditional clearance that lists obligatory health accessories (glasses, hearing aid, etc.) or sets obligatory escort when armed (e.g. B – sport shooters with minor psychological issues, or with addiction habits cured more than three years prior to the health check).[41]

Criminal integrity

The enactment specifies the amount of time that must elapse after a person is released from prison for serving time for particular groups of crimes. Ex-convicts punished for committing selected crimes, such as public endangerment, or participation in organized crime group or murder, if sentenced to more than 12 years imprisonment, may never fulfill this condition.[42] There is a central registry of criminal offenses in the Czech Republic. The criminal integrity is reviewed notwithstanding any possible expungement of the records for other purposes.[43]

Conditional discharge does not count, only the original sentence.

Police may order temporary seizure of firearm license and firearms in case that the holder is charged with any intentional crime, or a negligent crime connected with breach of duties relating to possession, carrying or use of firearms or ammunition.[44]

Personal reliability

A person who verifiably excessively drinks alcohol or uses illegal drugs, as well who was repeatedly found guilty of specified misdemeanors (e.g. related to firearms, DUI, public order, etc.) in the preceding three years, is considered unreliable for the purposes of issuing a gun license. The police has the right to inquire information regarding these issues also from municipal authorities (misdemeanors are dealt with by municipal authorities and there is no central registry related to them).[45]

Losing reliability is caused by:

Police may order temporary seizure of firearm license and firearms in case that administrative proceedings against the holder are initiated for committing selected misdemeanors (e.g. carrying while intoxicated, refusing to undergo intoxication test while armed, shooting outside licensed range unless in self-defense).[44]

Obtaining of a license by a foreigner

The law distinguishes foreigners according to their country of origin. For selected foreigners, a license is shall-issue as same as for Czech citizens, while for others it is a may-issue.[46]

Foreign born residents are treated equally in the eye of Czech law (see above), but proof of a lack of criminal record in their country of origin must be provided;[47] persons having residence also in another EU country must provide documentation showing that they are allowed to own a firearm therein.[48] All the documents with the exception of the documents in Slovak must be translated into Czech by a sworn translator.

Foreigners with registered place of residence in the Czech Republic may purchase firearms after obtaining corresponding licenses and permits; persons having residence in another EU country must provide documentation showing that they are allowed to own such a firearm therein in order to be granted a permit to purchase a B category gun.[49]

The written test as well as the practical exam has to be taken in Czech. Until 31 December 2011, test-takers were allowed to use a sworn interpreter/translator, but this has since been forbidden.[50]

Categorization

Categories of guns

Under the current gun law, guns, ammunition and some accessories are divided into four categories (these should not be mistaken with types of licenses):

Type of firearmsRequirements to acquire and possessNumber
Accessible to Firearms License holders
A – Restricted firearms
  • firearms with calibre of 20mm or larger intended for launching munitions,
  • fully automatic firearms,
  • insidious firearms (made or adapted in order to conceal their purpose or to inflict more serious effect, or masked as other objects),
  • firearms made from non-metal elements if they are unidentifiable during baggage control by detection and RTG machines,
  • shooting booby traps,
  • ammunition with armor piercing, explosive, incendiary or other bullet with active charge, with exception of signal projectiles
  • Gun license
  • May-issue exemption
  • Registration
744
A-I – Restricted firearms
  • automatic firearms which have been converted into semi-automatic firearms
  • semi-automatic firearms, into which an over-the-limit magazine was inserted
  • semi-automatic long firearms that are originally intended to be fired from the shoulder that are fitted with a folding, telescoping or without-tools-removable stock, the folding, telescoping or removing of which can reduce its length of less than 600 mm without affecting functionality
  • air or blank-firing, unless made according to a special regulation
  • ammunition intended for short firearms with expanding bullet
  • Gun license
  • shall-issue exemption
  • Registration
7,041
(Category introduced in 2021 as EU Directive implementation / complete grandfathering)
B – Guns requiring permit[51]
  • short repeating or semi-automatic firearms
  • short single or multiple shot firearms
  • rim-fire firearms under 280 mm of length
  • long semi-automatic firearms with magazine capacity over 3 rounds or with a detachable magazine
  • long firearms with non-rifled barrel under 600 mm of length
  • single or multiple shot, repeating or semi-automatic long firearms not mentioned in the previous two bullet-points
  • semi-automatic firearms if they resemble fully automatic firearms
  • signal weapons with calibre over 16 mm
  • Gun license
  • Shall-issue permit
  • Registration
494,229
C – Guns requiring registration[52]
  • single shot or repeating rimfire firearms longer than 280 mm
  • single, multiple, repeating or semi-automatic long rifles for rimfire or centerfire ammunition or Lefaucheux cartridge not included in B category,
  • air rifles with muzzle energy over 16J, apart from paintball,
  • suppressors
  • more than two shot and repeating black powder firearms
  • Gun license
  • Registration
445,102
Firearms License not required
C-I – Guns requiring registration
  • originally A, A-I, B, C firearms that were deactivated in line with respective EU Regulation.
  • blank-firing made in accordance with special regulation
  • single or two shot black powder firearms
  • firearms for flobert, 4mm M20 or other cartridge with similar muzzle energy intended for adversarial training
  • gas weapons with caliber larger than 6,35mm, apart from paintball
  • firearms intended for adversarial training with muzzle energy no more than 20J
  • signal firearms with caliber larger than 16mm
  • taser
  • 18 years of age
  • full legal capacity
  • place of residence in the Czech Republic
  • clean criminal record
  • full mental capacity
  • registration
2,692 (2021)[53]
(Category introduced in 2021 as EU Directive implementation / complete grandfathering)
D – Guns available to adults above 18[54]
  • historical firearms,
  • paintball
  • gas weapons with caliber smaller than 6,35mm
  • blank firing machines
  • deactivated firearms that are not subject to EU Regulation and which were made permanently inoperable
  • cut-away replicas
  • non-active torsos of firearms <
-- FIREARMS THAT ARE RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY ARE UNUSABLE -->
  • non-active ammunition
  • firearms not mentioned in categories A,A-I,B,C,C-I,D
18 years of ageN/A

A person must obtain the Gun License (Zbrojní průkaz) to be allowed to own gun of categories A, A-I, B and C.[55] To own a gun in the D category only the age of 18 is required.[56] A, A-I, B, C and C-I category weapon has to be registered within 10 working day with the police after it is bought.[57]

Other

ItemClassificationRequirements
Gun license
Black powderPossession of black powder firearm.
Standard ammunition
  • A, B, C type gun license, or
  • D, E type of gun license and firearm appropriate to use the ammunition
Expanding ammunition for use in long firearmGun license
Expanding ammunition for use in short firearmA-I
  • gun license
  • shall-issue "exemption permit" (general one-time)
Armour piercing, incendiary, explosive ammunitionA
  • A type gun license
  • may-issue exemption (for particular type and number)
Magazines w/ capacity max 10/20 (long/short gun)None
Magazines w/ capacity over 10/20 (long/short gun)"Over-the-limit-magazines"
  • A-I category firearm (only mags for use in the firearm), or
  • shall-issue "exemption permit" (general one-time).
SilencersC category accessory
  • gun license
  • registration
TasersC-I category firearm
  • 18 years of age
  • full legal capacity
  • place of residence in the Czech Republic
  • absence of felony conviction
  • full mental capacity
  • registration
Laser sightsNone
Night vision scopesNone
Mechanical weapons (bows, crossbows)None
Cold weaponsNone
Pepper spraysNone
None

Obtaining firearms

A, A-I, B and C category of firearms may be acquired and possessed only by gun license holders and their transfer must be registered with police within 10 days. A-category firearms may be acquired only for collecting purposes and are subject to may-issue exemption. Each of A-I and B category firearm is subject to shall-issue permitting process. C category firearms can be purchased by any gun license holder.

C-I category of firearms may be acquired and possessed by a person older than 18, with full legal capacity, place of residence in the Czech Republic, without conviction for selected felonies, full mental capacity. Transfer must be registered with police within 10 days.

D category fiearms are available to anyone older than 18 and are not subject to registration.

There is no limit in the law on the number of owned guns. The law specifies safe storage requirements for those owning more than two weapons or more than 500 rounds of ammunition. Additional safe storage requirements are stipulated for those owning more than 10 and more than 20 firearms.[58]

Possession of a firearm that does not belong to category D or C-I without a gun license (as well as sale, manufacturing, procurement, etc.) is a criminal offense which carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment (up to eight years in defined cases).[59]

Using firearms and shooting ranges

Shooting is permitted only within licensed shooting ranges or when allowed by special laws, e.g. hunting or self-defense.[60]

Shooting of blank rounds or signal weapons is also permitted in case that it does not threaten life, health and public order.

There are about two hundred places opened for the public.[61] Any adult can visit such a range and shoot from available weapons. A person without a gun license has to be supervised (if younger than 18, then by a person at least 21 years old who has been a holder of a gun license for at least 3 years).[62]

Rules on open and concealed carry

Rules on carrying of firearms underwent general overhaul on 30 January 2021, allowing more flexibility for open carry of firearms during special events when open carry is considered customary, e.g. military re-enactment (including movement of units in historical uniforms between reenactment locations) and sports (e.g. biathlon).

It is prohibited to carry or transport a firearm with silencer installed.[66]

Carrying firearm while intoxicated is illegal and can lead to heavy fines and loss of the gun license.[67] Police often conduct intoxication tests of open-carrying hunters.[68]

The law does not include any "gun-free zones" provisions, apart from general prohibition of firearm carry during protests and demonstrations. Public authorities that enact and practically enforce ban on firearm carrying within their premises are legally bound to provide option for storing a short firearm upon entry (either in a safe compliant with the Firearms Act or with a police officer).[69]

The Czech Republic is a relatively safe country: Prague, with the highest crime rate in the country, still ranks as one of the safest capitals in the European Union.[70] Considering the number of E type licenses issued, there are about 240,000 people who could potentially carry a firearm; however, it is not clear how many regularly do so.[71]

Ammunition and magazine restrictions

Ammunition may be purchased only by a gun license holder. Owners of historical firearms (D - category) can also purchase ammunition suitable for their firearm without a gun license.

High-penetrating (armor-piercing) ammunition is classified as category A.[72]

Hollow point bullets for use in short firearms are classified in A-I category and available subject to shall-issue exemption permit. For use in long firearms, hollow point bullets are treated the same as other types of ammunition.[73]

There are no restrictions on caliber type, however firearms with caliber larger than 20mm (apart from signal weapons) are classified as category A. Special safe storage requirements apply for those having more than 500, 10,000 and 20,000 cartridges.[58]

A January 2021 amendment of the Firearms Act necessitated by the EU Gun Ban introduced "over-the-limit" magazines, i.e. those holding more than 10/20 rounds for use in long/short firearms. These may be used in a B category firearm subject to shall issue exemption permit; previous owners were grandfathered.[74]

Armament licences

Gun licences equivalent for conducting business with firearms. Divided into 11 types.

Self defense with firearms

See main article: Self-defence (Czech Republic). There are three main concepts in Czech law which exclude criminal & civil liability based on self-defense. "Utmost necessity" (krajní nouze) may be invoked against a danger other than an attack by another person, such as a raging dog. "Necessary self defense" (nutná obrana) may be invoked against attack by another person, be it a direct assault or a dog ordered to attack. The third concept is called "justified use of a gun" (oprávněné užití zbraně) and generally may not be invoked by civilians, but rather by police or other officers.[75]

Czech law does not include specific provisions regarding self-defense with use of a weapon. Same rules apply in case of unarmed defense or defense with any type of weapon. The Ministry of the Interior officially recommends carrying non-lethal weapons such as pepper sprays, paralyzers, or gas pistols as means of self-defense. To keep and bear arms for personal protection, Czech citizens must first obtain a shall-issue license.

A number of successful defensive uses of firearms or other weapon is being cleared as legitimate self-defense by authorities every year without raising wider public concern, including for example a 2014 shooting of an attacker by a bartender in Hořovice,[76] or a 2014 shooting of an aggressive burglar in a garage by homeowner in Čimice.[77] However, some cases become rather notable, see Self-defence (Czech Republic)#Defensive gun use cases.

Popularity of guns

Given that firearms possession was banned during German Nazi occupation and then allowed only to those deemed loyal during the Communist regime, the right to be armed is seen as one of attributes of liberty in the country . A rapid rise of criminality involving illegal firearms following the Velvet Revolution led to an associated fast rise in legal firearms ownership in the country in the 1990s. By 2001, some 3% of the population possessed firearms licenses. The number of license holders fell slightly from this point (faster as regards C licenses, while E licenses remained mostly level) until the 2015 EU Gun Ban Proposal, from which point the number of license holders began to rise again (mostly E licenses).[78] The police recorded a tripling of average monthly applications for firearms licenses by the end of 2015 compared to the beginning of that year.[79]

While the number of license holders started to rise gradually, firearm sales rose even faster in 2015, mostly prompted by the EU efforts to restrict law abiding citizens' access to firearms.[80] Average annual rise in the number of registered firearms amounted to 14,500 guns between 2006 and 2014, there were 54,508 new registered firearms in 2015 alone. Local tendencies generally follow the nationwide trend, however any worsening of security in any given district is often followed by a sharp rise in gun ownership therein. For example, in 2011, after a wave of racially motivated against majority population victims, there was a rise of gun ownership in Šluknov Hook area.[81] [82]

250,342 out of 307,372 (2020) gun owners have self-defense licenses, which permit them to carry concealed firearms for protection (any B or C category firearm, not only pistols). Following a wave of terror attacks around Europe, a number of politicians as well as security professionals started urging gun owners to actually carry firearms in order to be able to contribute to soft targets protection. These included, among many others, the President Miloš Zeman, whose wife obtained E license and a revolver,[83] as well as Libor Lochman, Chief of URNA, the country's main special forces anti-terrorism unit.[84] While there are no statistics as regards how many E license holder do carry firearms in general, there are places known for high concealed carry rate, such as Prague Jewish Quarter.[85]

Unlike elsewhere in Europe, there is a relatively high proportion of semi-automatic firearms in the country, which are generally considered better suited for self-defense. The most owned firearms in the country are CZ 75 Compact and Glock 17.[86] Other popular guns include 1911 clones and semi-automatic rifles made by Czech manufacturers, especially vz. 58 and AR-15 (of which there are). There are relatively fewer revolvers, mostly from US manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson and Colt, or Czech producers ALFA and Kora.[87]

Incidents and gun crimes

It is generally not common for licensed gun owners to commit violent crimes with their guns, and most of the gun crimes are committed with illegal weapons that are beyond the control of the law.[88] Annually, police investigate about 500 cases of illegal arming (with or without direct connection to committing other crime).

Police recorded 45 violent crimes (most of them, 17, being "dangerous threats" and 6 homicides - including attempts, mostly intra-family) being committed with legal firearms (A,B,C category) in 2016, down from 71 in 2014 and 51 in 2015 respectively. Meanwhile, illegally possessed firearms (A,B,C category) were used in 71 violent crimes (9 murders) in 2016. When resorting to use of firearms, perpetrators mostly utilize non-lethal free-to-buy D category weapons (see above) that resemble real guns, with 906 such crimes taking place in 2016.[89] Apart from simple threats, the most common crime committed with firearms is robbery. Out of 1.500 robberies recorded in 2016, 153 took place with use of D category free-to-buy non-lethal weapons, 24 with illegally possessed firearms and 3 with legally possessed firearms (out of over 900,000 legally owned firearms).

It is important to note that Czech police records completed and attempted homicides in the same category. The total number of people shot dead (homicides, police action, self defense), without distinction of legal or illegal source of gun, is recorded by CZSO. CZSO recorded 7 gun related assault deaths in 2016, 9 in 2017 and 5 in 2018.[90]

In 2018, police recorded three homicides with legally held firearms including attempts of which one was subsequently ruled self defense and the other was ruled manslaughter with only a probation sentence, leaving a single criminal murder.[91]

Overall, legally held firearms are implicated in about 3.5% of murders including attempts while 7% of the adult male population owns one (adult males are responsible for about 90% of murders in the Czech Republic).[92]

Occasionally, crimes with legally owned guns do happen. The most notable examples include:

General attitudes to guns

Many people, especially businessmen, felt the need to obtain a firearm because of a rise in organised crime shortly after the Velvet Revolution that was related to the economic transformation in the early 1990s.[103]

Due to falling crime rates, fewer people felt the need to carry a firearm for protection after 2000. This trend however changed in 2015 following the European migrant crisis and November 2015 Paris attacks. Gun advocacy groups argue that there is no point in banning guns because criminals will get guns no matter how tight the law is. At the same time, however, the rules are deemed by gun ownership advocates to be restrictive enough to prevent criminals from easily obtaining firearms, while allowing upstanding citizens to own them for personal protection. For example, in 2010, Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik, incited by a BBC documentary which described Prague as "being the most important transit site point for illicit weapons in Europe", found himself unable to illegally obtain any in the country when preparing for the 2011 Norway attacks.[104] [105] [106] That Czech Republic has a strong tradition in firearms manufacturing and competition shooting contributes to generally favorable attitudes to the legality of gun ownership.

28% of members of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament keep firearms; some of them are believed to conceal carry also within the parliament grounds (parliamentarians are not required to pass gun check on entry unlike other staff or visitors).[107] [108]

Other types of weapons

There is currently no regulation on other type of weapons such as knives, pepper sprays, batons or electrical paralyzers. These items can be freely bought and carried.[109] Similarly as in the case of firearms, it is prohibited to carry these weapons to court buildings, demonstrations and mass meetings.[110] The Ministry of the Interior officially recommends carrying non-lethal weapons such as pepper sprays, paralyzers, or gas pistols as means of self-defense

The Czech penal code defines "weapon" as "anything that may make an attack against the person more severe".[111] Although there are no restrictions on possession and carrying of weapons, their use in commission of a crime is punishable by stiffer sentences. For example, blackmail carries six months to four years imprisonment, but blackmail with a weapon carries four to eight years imprisonment.[112]

2026 Comprehensive change of gun law

Short Title:Firearms Act
Legislature:Parliament of the Czech Republic
Long Title:Act on Firearms and Ammunition
Citation:No. 90/2024 Coll.
Passed By:Chamber of Deputies
Passed By2:Senate
Date Passed:26 January 2024
Date Passed2:6 March 2024
Date Signed:22 March 2024
Signed By:President Petr Pavel
Date Promulgated:16 April 2024
Date Commenced:1 January 2026
Bill Citation:Chamber Bill No. 465 (9th Legislature)
Introduced By:Fiala Government
Date Introduced:5 June 2023
Date Distributed:5 June 2023
Committee Responsible:Security Committee
1St Reading:24 October 2023
2Nd Reading:12 December 2023
3Rd Reading:26 January 2024
3Rd Reading For:151
3Rd Reading Against:0
3Rd Reading Abstention:18
Bill Date2:8 February 2024
Committee Responsible2:Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security Committee
Rapporteur2:Václav Láska
Second Chamber Action:passed
Passed2:6 March 2024
Passed2 For:66
Passed2 Against:1
Passed2 Abstention:8
Repeals:2002 Firearms Act (No. 119/2002 Coll.)
Status:not yet in force

At the beginning of 2018, work on a completely new Firearms Act was started in order to properly implement the 2017 EU Firearms Directive. An expert workgroup was established at the Ministry of Interior that included also expert representatives of the general public. Preparation of the new legislation stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to implementation being done through the 2021 Amendment of the 2002 Firearms Act. The work on the new Firearms Act resumed later, and the law was passed in early 2024 in the Chamber of Deputies by majority of 151:0 and in the Senate by 66:1. It will come into force on 1 January 2026. The new legislation is significantly well organized than the 2002 Firearms Act, which had been amended 30 times.[113] The most important practical change in the law is the move from licensing system, where licenses were subject to periodical renewal, to authorization system, where authorizations are granted for life. Also, instead of five types of licenses, the law will recognize only two classes of authorizations, non-carry and concealed carry. The legislation also moves towards electronic-only database system instead of previous physical licenses and gun registration cards.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gawron . Tomáš . Zbraňové statistiky 2023: Růst počtu držitelů zbrojních průkazů zpomalil, setrvalý nárůst registrovaných zbraní [Firearms statistics 2023: Increase of number of license holders slowed down, gradual increase of registered firearms] ]. zbrojnice.com . 8 January 2024 . 8 January 2024 . cs .
  2. Web site: Ozbrojení civilisté a budoucí bezpečnostní krize .
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  7. Firearms Act, Section 1(1)
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  12. Firearms Act, Section 8
  13. Firearms Act, Section 16(1)
  14. Firearms Act, Section 28(3)(B), 28(4)(C)
  15. Firearms Act, Section 28(1)(B)
  16. Firearms Act, Section 29(1)(N)
  17. Firearms Act, Section 16(2)
  18. Firearms Act, Section 18
  19. Firearms Act, Section 24(1)
  20. Firearms Act, Section 19
  21. Firearms Regulation, Section 7(1)
  22. Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(A)
  23. Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(B)
  24. Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(C)
  25. Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(D)
  26. Firearms Act, Section 21(5)(A)
  27. , Section 5(1)(A)
  28. Firearms Regulation, Section 5(1)(B)
  29. Firearms Regulation, Section 5(1)(C)
  30. Firearms Regulation, Section 5(3)
  31. Firearms Act, Section 21(5)(B)
  32. Firearms Regulation, Section 8(1)(B),(B)
  33. Firearms Regulation, Section 8(1)(C)
  34. Firearms Regulation, Section 8(1)(D),(E)
  35. Firearms Regulation, Section 8(2)
  36. Firearms Regulation, Section 6(5)
  37. Firearms Regulation, Section 7(2)
  38. Firearms Act, Section 28(3)
  39. Eligibility Regulation, Section 2(2)
  40. Eligibility Regulation, Annex No. 1
  41. Eligibility Regulation, Section 6(2)
  42. Firearms Act, Section 22
  43. Firearms Act, Section 22(4)
  44. Firearms Act, Section 57(1)
  45. Firearms Act, Section 23
  46. Firearms Act, Section 18(3)
  47. Firearms Act, Section 24(2)
  48. Firearms Act, Section 17(5)
  49. Firearms Act, Section 12(4)
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  51. Firearms Act, Section 5
  52. Firearms Act, Section 6
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  54. Firearms Act, Section 7
  55. Firearms Act, Sections 9-14
  56. Firearms Act, Section 15
  57. Firearms Act, Section 42(1)
  58. Firearms Act, Section 58(2)
  59. Criminal Code, Section 279
  60. Firearms Act, Section 28-5
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  62. Firearms Act, Section 59(4)
  63. Firearms Act, Section 29(4)
  64. Firearms Act, Section 28
  65. Firearms Act, Section 2(2)(a)(1), Section 2(2)(b)
  66. Firearms Act, Section 29(3)(e)
  67. Firearms Act, Section 76a, 57
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  69. Firearms Act, Section 29a
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  72. Firearms Act, Section 4
  73. Firearms Act, Section 4a
  74. Firearms Act, Section 11b
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  110. , Section 7(3)
  111. , Section 118
  112. , Section 175
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