Right to bear arms in a European nation

The Czech Republic has some of the most liberal gun laws in Europe.

There are more than 800,000 firearms of all categories registered among 300,000 gun permit holders in the country, which has a population of about 10.5 million people.

It is one of the only nations in the world — and the only one in Europe — that provides the constitutional right to bear arms.

A person needs to obtain a gun licence to be able to own weapons and a permit for each individual firearm. Concealed- carry permits for self- defence can be obtained by Czech citizens, and recreational shooting is one of the most popular sports in the country.

Requirements for obtaining a gun licence include being above the age of 18 — and only 15 in some specific circumstances — as well as passing theoretical and practical exams, a health clearance and a background check.

There is no limit on the number of guns an individual may hold, but the law does set out safe- storage requirements for those in possession of more than two weapons or more than 500 rounds of ammunition.

Lawmakers and gun owners claim that the national system dramatically increases the odds of responsible ownership.

In May, the Czech Government announced it was looking into amending the law on arms and ammunition to make it sufficient for gun owners to have an electronic authorisation in the central weapons registry.

If confirmed, the move would mean that gun owners no longer need to carry physical permits or licences.

Gun crime is relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42- year- old gunman killed six people at a hospital waiting room in the eastern city of Ostrava before fleeing and fatally shooting himself, police said.

In 2015, a man fatally shot eight people and then killed himself at a restaurant in Uhersky Brod in the south- east.