# Gun law in the Czech Republic

Gun laws in the Czech Republic adhere to the European Firearms Directive. Legal accessibility is comparable to those EU and EFTA countries which consider firearms to be primarily tools of individual or collective safety (i.e. Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Baltic states, Finland) and not just sporting instruments (see Gun laws in the European Union).
Right to keep and bear arms is considered to be an attribute of liberty in the country. It is explicitly recognized in the first Article of the Firearms Act. At the constitutional level, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms protects the "right to defend one's own life or life of another person also with arms under conditions stipulated by law".
Firearms are available to any resident subject to acquiring a firearms license. Firearm licenses may be obtained in a way similar to a driving license; by passing a proficiency exam (in Czech language only), 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). The most common reason for firearm possession by Czech gun owners is 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 members of the militia-style Designated Reserves.
The beginnings of Czech civilian firearms possession date back to 1421, with the first use of firearms as the primary weapons of the Hussites (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 St. Wenceslaus Agreement [cs]. 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. Mariánská skála in Ústí nad Labem is Europe's oldest continually-open shooting range, established in 1617.

## History

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.
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.
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. 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".

## 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.
The provision is interpreted as guaranteeing legal accessibility of arms in a way that must ensure possibility of effective self-defense and as constitutional stipulation which underscores the individual right to be prepared with arms against an eventual attack, i.e. that courts cannot draw a negative inference from the fact that a defender had been preparing to avert a possible attack with use of weapons.

## 2002 Firearms Act

   The right to acquire, keep and bear firearm is guaranteed under conditions set by this law.
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. 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.
| License type | Minimum age | Ammunition restriction | Note | No. (31 Dec 2023) |
| A – Collecting | 21 | 3 pcs or 1 smallest production package of the same type, caliber & brand | 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. | 114,592 |
| B – Sport | 18 15 for members of a shooting club | None | | 174,528 |
| C – Hunting | 18 16 for pupils at schools with hunting curriculum | None | | 120,320 |
| D – Exercise of profession | 21 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 property | 21 | Only ammunition for the firearm owned (no restriction on quantity). | Concealed carry (up to 2 guns ready for immediate use) | 260,277 |

### Types of licenses

There are five types of gun license; however, these should not be mistaken with the categories for guns:
* A – Firearm collection
* B – Sport shooting
* C – Hunting
* D – Exercise of a profession
* E – Self-defense

### 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$ 32.29) per type is paid, the license shall be issued in thirty days. 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).

#### 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.

#### Qualification

Obtaining the license requires passing a theoretical and practical exam.
* Theoretical exam: The theoretical exam consists of a written test of 30 multiple choice questions (Created and distributed by the Ministry of the Interior) with a maximum of 79 points possible. To pass the written exam, 67 points are needed for type A, 71 for type B or C, and 74 for type D or E. The test deals with the following issues:
** knowledge of firearms legislation,
** knowledge of legislation related to legitimate use of firearm (e.g. self-defense),
** general knowledge of firearms and ammunition, and
** first aid.
* Practical exam
** Safe handling: this comprises
*** inspecting, whether the firearm is loaded (safely unloading),
*** field stripping as needed for clean-up,
*** preparation of firearm and ammunition for shooting, shooting, procedure of handling the firearm in case of malfunction, conclusion of shooting.
** Touching the trigger, pointing in an other-than-safe direction or trying to field-strip a loaded gun (dummy round is used) results in the applicant failing the exam. Depending on the types of licenses sought, applicants may be asked to show their ability safely to manipulate multiple firearms (typically CZ 75 and/or CZ 82 pistol, bolt-action CZ 452 rifle and a double-barreled shotgun).
** A shooting test, which requires specific scores dependent on the type of license applied for:
*** For the B type license it is 25m on rifle target (A4 sheet sized) with 4 out of 5 rounds hitting the target sheet shooting from a rifle (2 out of five for A type). .22 Long Rifle chambered rifle is used. Alternatively, an applicant can shoot a pistol on 50/20 pistol target at 10 m.
*** For the C type license, the applicant must fire at 25m with a rifle (same as cat. B) and also successfully hit the rifle target from the distance of 25m shooting from a shotgun (Usually double-barreled), 3 out of 4 rounds must hit the target (at least partially).
*** For the E type license, the applicant must successfully hit the international pistol target 50/20 (50 cm x 50 cm) from a distance of 10m (15m for D type license) shooting from a pistol, 4 out of 5 rounds must hit the sheet (2 out of 5 for A type).
** In each of the cases above, the actual score is irrelevant; the projectiles simply have to hit the target sheet within the circles. Also in each case, the applicant is allowed 3 test shots to familiarise himself with the particular firearm used for the test. The shotgun is an exception to this, where only one round is allowed as a test shot.
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. 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).

#### 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.
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. 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).

#### 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. 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.
* After being conditionally discharged, the criminal integrity is regained after the probation period ends or in 3 years in special cases
* After serving less than 2 years or being sentenced to different kind of punishment than imprisonment, the criminal integrity is regained after 5 years
* After being sentenced for 2 to 5 years, the criminal integrity is regained after 10 years
* After being sentenced for 5 to 12 years, the criminal integrity is regained after 20 years
* After being sentenced for more than 12 years (for defined crimes, such as murder, treason, etc.) the criminal integrity is never regained.
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.

#### Personal reliability

A person who verifiably excessively drinks alcohol or uses illegal drugs, as well as 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.
A person may lose reliability by:
* Committing a crime and agreeing to conditional suspension of charges, until the probation period ends.
* Excessive use of alcohol or use of drugs.
* Committing multiple misdemeanors from specific segments of the law (on Firearms, Explosives, Driving under influence, public order, property and illegal hunting/fishing) within a three year period. Other types of misdemeanors do not count to personal reliability criteria.
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).

#### 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.
* Shall-issue
** foreigners from countries of the EU, European Economic Area and Switzerland (in case of their being granted temporary or permanent residency, then also their family members)
** foreigners from NATO countries
** foreigners having been granted permanent residency in the Czech Republic and long-term EU residency or long-term residency in other state of EU and longterm residency in the Czech Republic (and their family members, if having been granted long-term residency)
** persons having been granted international asylum in the Czech Republic
* May-issue
** other foreigners (no appeal possible against decision of appropriate police department to deny permit)
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; persons having residence also in another EU country must provide documentation showing that they are allowed to own a firearm therein. 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.
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.

### 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):
| Firearm category | Type of firearms | Requirements to acquire and possess | Number |
| 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 | 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 | 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) (Category introduced in 2021 as EU Directive implementation / complete grandfathering) |
| D – Guns available to adults above 18 | 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 non-active ammunition firearms not mentioned in categories A,A-I,B,C,C-I,D | 18 years of age | N/A |
A person must obtain the Gun License (Zbrojní průkaz) to be allowed to own gun of categories A, A-I, B and C. To own a gun in the D category only the age of 18 is required. 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.

#### Other

| Item | Classification | Requirements |
| Ammunition reloading | | Gun permit or possession of D category firearms of that caliber |
| Black powder | | Possession 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 firearm | | Gun license |
| Expanding ammunition for use in short firearm | A-I | gun license shall-issue "exemption permit" (general one-time) |
| Armour piercing, incendiary, explosive ammunition | A | 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). |
| Silencers | C category accessory | gun license registration |
| Tasers | C-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 sights | | None |
| Night vision scopes | | None |
| Mechanical weapons (bows, crossbows) | | None |
| Cold weapons | | None |
| Pepper sprays | | None |
| Electric paralyzers | | 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.
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).

### 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.
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. 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).

### 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).
* Permitless carry
** Concealed carry: Firearms of D and C-I category (e.g. black powder derringer or gas pistol) must be carried in concealed manner.
** Open carry: Similar rules as in case of gun license holders below.
* A, B, C type gun license holders:
** General rule: Firearms must be transported unloaded and in closed container.
** Open carry in publicly accessibly areas is possible in case that all of the following conditions are met:
*** firearm is unloaded, and
*** it is done within context of conducting activity that includes shooting or similar handling of firearms and ammunition, the rules of which permit gun license holder to open carry of a firearm, and
*** it is permitted as regards the chosen means of transport; when using public transport, a firearm must always be within a closed container, and
*** it may be considered appropriate under local conditions and within given activity, and
*** it does not disturb public order.
** Open carry of loaded long firearm is also possible within hunting areas.
* D, E type gun license holders:
** Concealed carry: Up to two firearms (loaded, with a round chambered).
** Open carry within privately owned premises: The Firearms Act defines having a firearm within "residential or commercial premises or within clearly demarcated real estate with the consent of the owner or tenant of said premises or real estate" as possession, not carrying within the legal meaning of the term. As such, owners or tenants of clearly demarcated privately owned, publicly accessible properties may allow factual open carry within their premises.
* D type gun license holders working for Municipal Police or Czech National Bank while on duty:
** Open carry: Up to two firearms (loaded, with a round chambered).
It is prohibited to carry or transport a firearm with silencer installed.
Carrying firearm while intoxicated is illegal and can lead to heavy fines and loss of the gun license. Police often conduct intoxication tests of open-carrying hunters.
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).
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. Considering the number of E type licenses issued, there are over 260,000 people who can legally carry a firearm for self-defense, of which over 210.000 people actually do so according to a 2024 survey.

### 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.
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.
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.
A January 2021 amendment of the Firearms Act necessitated by the EU Gun Ban introduced a new category of "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.

### Armament licences

Gun licences equivalent for conducting business with firearms. Divided into 11 types.
* A – Development or manufacturing of firearms/ammunition
* B – Repairs, modifications or deactivation of firearms/ammunition
* C – Firearms/ammunition buying and selling
* D – Lending and safekeeping of firearms/ammunition
* E – Deactivation or destruction of weapons/ammunition
* F – Training in handling and using firearms/ammunition
* G – Providing security for persons/property.
* H – Cultural, sports and hobby shooting activities.
* I – Collecting and displaying firearms/ammunition
* J – Securing tasks defined by special legal enactments.
* K – Pyrotechnical Survey (replaced F type gun licence in 2017)

## Self defense with firearms

Czech criminal law defines self-defense (nutná obrana, lit. "necessary defense") as a person's action which averts an ongoing or imminent attack and which is not manifestly (lit: "obviously grossly") disproportionate to the manner of the attack. This definition stems from the Article 29 of the Act No. 40/2009 Coll., the Criminal Code.
Self-defense is considered to be an individual human right protected under Article 2(4) of the Constitution and Articles 2(3) and 6(4) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. There is no 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.
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, or a 2014 shooting of an aggressive burglar in a garage by homeowner in Čimice. However, some cases become rather notable, see Self-defence (Czech Republic)#Defensive gun use cases.

## Gun culture and societal attitudes

   You who know me know that advocating legal gun ownership is a matter of principle for me, it's a matter of protecting liberty. The freedom to be able to defend oneself effectively with arms in the event of an attack, the freedom to sport with a legally owned firearm, to regulate game by hunting, and, de facto, to increase the defensibility of the Czech Republic as such. Which, as Minister for Defence, I will defend, and it is logical that my position has not changed.
Statistically, the most typical gun owner is a university-educated 45-59 years old male with above-average income who owns three firearms and practices concealed carry for self-defense. In 2024, 33% of adults were "thinking about" obtaining category E (concealed carry) firearms license, typically for the purpose of personal and family protection. 49% of population consider firearms possession as beneficial, while 45% hold the opposite view. Czech Republic's strong tradition in firearms manufacturing and competition shooting contributes to generally favorable attitudes to the legality of gun ownership.
Firearms possession was banned during German Nazi occupation and then allowed only to those deemed loyal during the Communist regime. Today, the right to be armed is seen as an attribute of liberty in the country. The 2021-2025 Government Policy Declaration undertakes to "preserve the rights of legal gun owners". 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.
The country suffered from a crime wave following the 1989 Velvet Revolution. The subsequent rise of legal gun ownership in the 1990s correlated with general fall in crime. 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). The police recorded a tripling of average monthly applications for firearms licenses by the end of 2015 compared to the beginning of that year.
While the number of license holders is rising gradually, firearm sales rose even faster in 2015, mostly prompted by the EU efforts to restrict law abiding citizens' access to firearms. 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.
260,000 out of 320,000 (2024) gun owners have self-defense licenses, which permit them to carry concealed firearms for protection (any B or C category firearm, not only pistols). 210.000 people (2024) practice concealed carry for self defense. Following a wave of terror attacks around Europe, a number of politicians as well as security professionals started urging gun owners to practice carrying of 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, as well as Libor Lochman, Chief of URNA, the country's main special forces anti-terrorism unit. There are places known for disproportionately high concealed carry rate, such as the Prague Jewish Quarter.
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. Other popular guns include 1911 clones and semi-automatic rifles made by Czech manufacturers, especially vz. 58 and AR-15 (of which there are 5 domestic manufacturers [cs]). There are relatively fewer revolvers, mostly from US manufacturers such as Smith & Wesson and Colt, or Czech producers ALFA and Kora.

## 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. 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. 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.
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.
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).
Occasionally, crimes with legally owned guns do happen. The most notable examples include:
* 2005 "Forest Killer", who was planning to go on a killing spree in Prague Metro, which was prevented by his early arrest in connection with his previous "training" murders committed on random hikers in forests. Being a former policeman, the perpetrator had passed a difficult psychological evaluation as part of the police selection procedure.
* 2013 Raškovice shooting, where a 31-year-old schoolteacher invaded house of one of his students, aged 17, with whom he had allegedly been previously intimately involved, and shot the student and her grandparents; the perpetrator had passed psychological evaluation ordered by his general practitioner before getting gun license.
* 2015 Uherský Brod shooting, which led to an introduction of red flag health-related provision in the firearms act.
* 2023 Prague Shooting, perpetrated by a 24-year-old Forest Killer copycat and world history student of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University.

## 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. Similarly as in the case of firearms, it is prohibited to carry these weapons to court buildings, demonstrations and mass meetings. 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 a person more severe". 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.

## 2026 Comprehensive change of gun law

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 better organized than the 2002 Firearms Act, which had been amended 30 times. 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.

## References and sources

* ↑ Šimek, Jiří (18 December 2012). "Statistika držitelů zbrojních průkazů a počtu registrovaných zbraní 1990-2010" (in Czech). Gunlex. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
* 1 2 "Gun license statistics between 2003–2012" (in Czech). Gunlex. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
* 1 2 "V ČR loni mělo zbrojní průkaz 292.000 lidí, jejich počet klesl" (in Czech). ČTK. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (23 October 2020). "Od směrnice k implementaci: co přináší a co znamená Poslaneckou sněmovnou PČR schválená novela zákona o zbraních". Advokátní Deník (in Czech). Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
* ↑ Sanlaville, Tanguy (22 December 2023). "Examens, contrôles des antécédents : après l'attaque de Prague, au coeur de la loi tchèque sur les armes à feu". marianne.net (in French). Archived from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (15 January 2024). "Srovnání české zbraňové legislativy s jinými evropskými zeměmi [Comparison of Czech Gun Laws with other European Countries]". zbrojnice.com (in Czech). Retrieved 7 November 2024.
* 1 2 3 Gawron, Tomáš (10 January 2024). "Kulatý stůl Poslanecké sněmovny ke zbraňové legislativě" (in Czech). zbrojnice.com. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
* 1 2 3 Gawron, Tomáš (8 January 2024). "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 (in Czech). Retrieved 8 January 2024.
* ↑ Eurobarometer, Directorate General for Communication (2013), Flash Barometer 383: Firearms in the European Union – Report (PDF), Brusselss, archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2017, retrieved 26 March 2017{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* ↑ "Ozbrojení civilisté a budoucí bezpečnostní krize".
* ↑ Titz, Karel (1922). Ohlasy husitského válečnictví v Evropě. Československý vědecký ústav vojenský.
* ↑ Kindlová, Veronika (2015), Nejstarší střelnici v Evropě najdete na Mariánské skále v Ústí nad Labem, archived from the original on 1 October 2017, retrieved 1 October 2017
* ↑ Rudoplh, Richard L. (2008). Banking and Industrialization in Austria-Hungary: The Role of Banks in the Industrialization of the Czech Crownlands, 1873–1914. Cambridge University Press. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-521-08847-3. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (January 2021). "Unikátní české výročí: 600 let civilního držení palných zbraní [Unique Czech anniversary: 600 years of civilian firearms possession]". zbrojnice.com (in Czech). Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (November 2019). "Historie civilního držení zbraní: Zřízení o ručnicích – česká zbraňová legislativa v roce 1524 [History of civilian firearms possession: Enactment on Firearms - Czech firearms legislation in 1524]". zbrojnice.com (in Czech). Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 1(1)
* 1 2 "Senát schválil ústavní právo bránit sebe i jiné se zbraní [The Senate approved constitutional right to defend self and others also with firearm]". ČTK (in Czech). 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
* ↑ Harsanyi, David (23 July 2020). "It Looks Like the Czech Republic Might Get a Second Amendment". National Review. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
* ↑ Bartošek, Jan; Bačkovská, Milena (2021). Zbraně a střelivo. Praha: C. H. Beck. p. 209. ISBN 978-80-7400-843-6.
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (2023). Nutná obrana v právní praxi. Brno: Václav Klemm. p. 30. ISBN 978-80-87713-23-5.
* 1 2 Parliament of the Czech Republic (2002), Act No. 119/2002 Coll., on Firearms and Ammunition (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 18 August 2016, retrieved 18 January 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 8
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 16(1)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 28(3)(B), 28(4)(C)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 28(1)(B)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 29(1)(N)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 16(2)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 18
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 24(1)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 19
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 7(1)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(A)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(B)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(C)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 21(4)(D)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 21(5)(A)
* ↑ Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic (2014), Regulation No. 115/2014 Coll., on Execution of Certain Sections of Firearms and Ammunition Act (Firearms Regulation) (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 17 July 2014, retrieved 10 August 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link), Section 5(1)(A)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 5(1)(B)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 5(1)(C)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 5(3)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 21(5)(B)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 8(1)(B),(B)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 8(1)(C)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 8(1)(D),(E)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 8(2)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 6(5)
* ↑ Firearms Regulation, Section 7(2)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 28(3)
* ↑ Eligibility Regulation, Section 2(2)
* ↑ Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic (2002), Regulation No. 493/2002 Coll., on Assessment of eligibility to be issued or to have a firearms license (Eligibility Regulation) (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 17 August 2016, retrieved 16 August 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* ↑ Eligibility Regulation, Annex No. 1
* ↑ Eligibility Regulation, Section 6(2)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 22
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 22(4)
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 57(1)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 23
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 18(3)
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 24(2)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 17(5)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 12(4)
* ↑ "Zbrojní průkaz pro cizince [Gun license for foreigners]" (in Czech). Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
* ↑ Government of the Czech Republic (2011), Regulation no. 315/2011, on Firearms competence exam (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 10 August 2014, retrieved 8 August 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 4
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 5
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 6
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (3 January 2022). "Zbraňové statistiky 2021: Pokračuje setrvalý nárůst držitelů i počtu zbraní, novela zákona neměla zásadní dopad [Firearms statistics 2021: Gradual increase of number of license holders and firearms continues, Firearms Act amendment had no significant impact]". zbrojnice.com (in Czech). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 7
* ↑ Firearms Act, Sections 9-14
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 15
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 42(1)
* 1 2 3 Kyša, Leoš (28 January 2011). "Počet legálně držených zbraní v Česku stoupá. Už jich je přes 700 tisíc [The number of legally owned firearms in the Czech Republic is increasing, there are already over 700 thousand of them]". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Archived from the original on 29 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 58(2)
* ↑ Criminal Code, Section 279
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 28-5
* ↑ Czechnology. "Mapa střelnic". zbranekvalitne.cz (in Czech). Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 59(4)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 29(4)
* 1 2 Firearms Act, Section 28
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 2(2)(a)(1), Section 2(2)(b)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 29(3)(e)
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 76a, 57
* ↑ "Myslivci se na poslední hon v roce posilnili čajem s citrónem [Hunters drank tea with lemon during the year's last hunt.]". Česká televize. 19 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 29a
* ↑ "Praha je bezpečnější než Vídeň [Prague is safer than Vienna]". Česká televize. 15 June 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
* 1 2 Gawron, Tomáš (5 November 2024). "Komentář: STEM/MARK – 210.000 Čechů nosí registrovanou palnou zbraň pro sebeobranu" (in Czech). zbrojnice.com. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 4a
* ↑ Firearms Act, Section 11b
* ↑ Act No. 40/2009 Coll., the Criminal Code
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (2023). Nutná obrana v právní praxi. Brno: Václav Klemm. p. 55. ISBN 978-80-87713-23-5.
* ↑ "Barman z Hořovic zastřelil hosta v sebeobraně, konstatovala policie [Bartender in Hořovice shot a guest in self defense, police held]". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 17 January 2014. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
* ↑ "Muž v pražských Čimicích načapal zloděje v garáži, jednoho postřelil [Man in Čimice caught burglars, shot one of them]". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 10 March 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
* 1 2 3 "Potřebujeme zbraň na vlastní ochranu?" (in Czech). STEM/MARK. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
* ↑ "Programové prohlášení vlády" (in Czech). 1 March 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
* ↑ "Mezi poslanci: Máte zbrojní průkaz? A zbraně? [Among deputies: Do you have a gun license? And firearms?]". Seznam zprávy (in Czech). 30 January 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
* ↑ "Má váš poslanec zbrojní průkaz a zbraň? Podívejte se [Is your Deputy armed? Check it out]". Lidové noviny (in Czech). 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
* ↑ "Přibylo žadatelů o zbrojní průkaz [The number of firearm license applications is rising]" (in Czech). Police of the Czech Republic. 9 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
* ↑ "Chcete si pořídit střelnou zbraň? Pospěste si, EU utahuje šrouby [Do you want to purchase a firearm? Hurry up, EU is tightening the rules]". Security Magazine (in Czech). Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
* ↑ "Ivana Zemanová už má revolver. Prezident vyzval Čechy ke zbrojení proti teroru [Ivana Zeman obtained a revolver. President calls Czechs to arm themselves against terrorism]". Blesk (in Czech). 31 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
* ↑ "Šéf URNA: Nemůžeme být všude. Lidé nejsou ovce, mají mít možnost bránit se střelnou zbraní [Chief of URNA: We cannot be everywhere. People are not sheep, they shall have the ability to defend themselves with firearms.]" (in Czech). aktualne.cz. 14 June 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
* ↑ "Pražští Židé mají zbraně, vlastní obranu a tajný kód, tvrdí majitel košer restaurace [Prague Jews are armed, have special security protocols, according to an owner of kosher restaurant.]" (in Czech). express.cz. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
* 1 2 "Češi se začínají více ozbrojovat, největší zájem je o pistole [Czechs are buying more guns, mostly pistols]" (in Czech). novinky.cz. 6 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
* ↑ "Více zbraní nezpůsobí více vražd, bojíme se jich kvůli televizi [More guns don't cause more murders, we fear them because of television]". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
* ↑ Vojtěch, Kučerák (13 August 2012). "Zbraně k zločinům? Ve většině případů jsou nelegální [Criminals' firearms? In most cases, they are illegal]". Brněnský Deník (in Czech). denik.cz. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
* 1 2 Cibulka, Jan (2 March 2017). "Zbraně a zločin: české podsvětí si vystačí s pistolemi z tržnice" [Guns and crimes: Czech underworld usually uses free to buy guns] (in Czech). Český rozhlas. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
* ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
* ↑ "Fact check: Zbraně a zločinnost v ČR, Česká televize". zbrojnice.com (in Czech). 6 October 2019. Archived from the original on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
* ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
* ↑ "Policisté dopadli lesního střelce, prý by vraždil znovu [The Police have caught the Forest Killer, allegedly he was about to murder again]". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). 20 October 2005. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
* ↑ David, Karásek. "Tisková zpráva sdružení gunlex k povinným psychotestům [Press release of gun lex on mandatory psychological tests]" (in Czech). Gun Lex. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
* ↑ Šrubař, Martin (5 November 2013). "Vrah dědečka a jeho vnučky je učitel. Dívka s ním údajně čekala dítě [The murderer of the grandfather and granddaughter is her teacher, she was supposedly pregnant with him]". Moravskoslezský Deník (in Czech). denik.cz. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
* ↑ Šrubař, Martin (6 November 2013). "Učitel střílel jako šílený, použil všechny tři pistole, které měl s sebou [The teacher was shooting like crazy, he used all three firearms he had with him]". Frýdecko-Místecký a Třinecký Deník (in Czech). denik.cz. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
* ↑ Gabzdyl, Josef (5 November 2014). "Odvolací soud zpřísnil dvojnásobnému vrahovi z Raškovic trest na 27 let [The appellate court delivered a stricter sentence of 27 years imprisonment to the Raškovice murderer]". Mladá fronta DNES (in Czech). Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
* 1 2 Koníček, Tomáš Tomáš; Kocábek, Pavel. "Prevence přepadení [Preventing Assault]" (in Czech). Ministerstvo vnitra. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
* ↑ Parliament of the Czech Republic (1990), Act No. 84/1990 Coll., on the Right of Assembly (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 7 November 2014, retrieved 16 August 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link), Section 7(3)
* ↑ Parliament of the Czech Republic (2009), Act No. 40/2009 Coll., the Criminal Code (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 8 February 2014, retrieved 18 January 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link), Section 118
* ↑ Parliament of the Czech Republic (2009), Act No. 40/2009 Coll., the Criminal Code (in Czech), Prague, archived from the original on 8 February 2014, retrieved 18 January 2014{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link), Section 175
* ↑ Gawron, Tomáš (6 March 2024). "Nový zákon o zbraních schválen Senátem 66:1" (in Czech). zbrojnice.com. Retrieved 8 May 2024.