Act No. 119/2002 concerning firearms and ammunition (“Firearms Act”) lays down the rules governing the ownership, possession, carrying and use of firearms and ammunition, the rights and obligations of persons who possess firearms and ammunition, and the export, import, temporary import and transit of firearms and ammunition. The Firearms Act also divides firearms and ammunition into categories.

According to the Firearms Act, matters relating to firearms and ammunition at diplomatic missions fall within the competence of the Police Presidium of the Czech Republic.

Questions concerning Czech laws and regulations applicable to non-military firearms and ammunition can Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and International Organisations direct to

Police Presidium of the Czech Republic

Directorate of the Arms and Security Equipment Service

Methodological Guidance Department

Tel. 974 834 278, 974 834 436

Email: rszbm@pcr.cz , firearms@pcr.cz

 

In addition to the above, the Firearms Act requires diplomatic missions to enable the Police Presidium to inspect the storage facilities where they keep their firearms and ammunition.

 

9.1. Acquiring, possessing and carrying firearms and ammunition

The Firearms Act divides firearms into the following categories:  A, A-I, B, C, C-I and D. The eligibility to acquire, possess and carry category A, A-I, B and C firearms and/or their ammunition is limited to holders of Czech firearms passes (“zbrojní průkaz”) and firearms licences (“zbrojní licence”). As an additional condition for category A and A-I firearms, the holder of a firearms pass or licence must obtain a special exemption (“výjimka k nabytí”). For category B firearms, it is necessary to obtain a special authorisation (“povolení k nabytí”). The eligibility to acquire, possess and carry category C-I firearms and category D powder-cartridge firearms (“palné zbraně”) is limited to individuals aged over 18 years, having  full legal capacity and permanent residence status in the Czech Republic, and to  legal entities having a registered office or branch established in the territory of the Czech Republic. The eligibility to acquire, possess and carry the remaining category D firearms is limited to individuals aged over 18 years and having full legal capacity, and to legal entities.

 

9.2. Registration of firearms

All firearms falling within categories A, A-I, B and C must be registered. Diplomatic missions and individual members of their staff must register their firearms with the Police Presidium. The evidence of registration is the firearm registration card (“průkaz zbraně”). Any individual or legal entity who has acquired a category A, A-I, B or C firearm must register the firearm within 10 working days from the date of its acquisition or from the date of crossing the border of the Czech Republic. To complete the registration, the firearm must be presented for inspection at the Police Presidium. Any individual or legal entity who has acquired a category C-I firearm must report the firearm to the Police Presidium within 10 working days from the date of its acquisition or from the date of crossing the border of the Czech Republic; however, in this case, the Police Presidium will not issue the firearm registration card. 

Armed and security forces personnel may be allowed to depart from the above mandatory procedures if they perform operational tasks on the basis of an international treaty to which the Czech Republic is a party, strictly subject to the condition that the applicable international treaty permits such personnel to possess and carry firearms.

Staff members are eligible to get firearms passes from the Police Presidium only if they are members of resident diplomatic missions. Any firearm authorisations from the sending (or any other foreign) State are not recognised as equivalent to the Czech firearms pass.

Staff members whose functions in the Czech Republic have come to an end must return to the Police Presidium any firearm documents issued in the Czech Republic (firearm registration card, firearms pass) before their final departure from the Czech Republic.

 

9.3. Export, import and transit of firearms and ammunition

9.3.1. Temporary import and transit of firearms and ammunition

Temporary import, possession and carrying, as well as transit, of category A, A-I, B, C  and C-I firearms and/or their ammunition and category D powder-cartridge firearms in the territory of the Czech Republic is subject to transit authorisation. The evidence of transit authorisation is the firearms and/or ammunition transit waybill (“zbrojní průvodní list pro transit zbraně nebo střeliva”). The waybill can be obtained from embassies and consulates of the Czech Republic abroad, or from the Police Presidium in the Czech Republic.

Temporary import of firearms and ammunition for the use of security officers accompanying protected persons

The Firearms Act (Section 51, paragraph 3) requires missions to notify to the Diplomatic Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic information about armed security officers who are to accompany a protected person during a planned visit. The notification must include details on any firearms and ammunition carried by the officers. This information and a request for an import/transit permit must be presented in a diplomatic note with attached forms 1a and 1b (see Chapter 10) no later than five (5) working days before the security officer’s planned arrival. Form 1b must be completed separately for each officer. Form 1b requires the mission to certify that the security officer is a member of the security service of the State providing protection to the protected person.

The officers must be nationals of the State that provides the protection (the passport number entered in form 1b must refer to a passport issued by that State).

9.3.2. Permanent import of firearms and ammunition

Permanent import of category A, A-I, B and C firearms and/or their ammunition and category D powder-cartridge firearms to the territory of the Czech Republic is subject to an import authorisation. The evidence of import authorisation is the permanent firearm and/or ammunition import waybill (“zbrojní průvodní list pro trvalý dovoz zbraně neb střeliva”). Diplomatic missions and individual members of their staff must obtain their waybills from the Police Presidium. Waybills are issued only to holders of Czech firearms passes and licences. 

9.3.3. Permanent export of firearms and ammunition

Permanent export of category A, A-I, B and C firearms and/or their ammunition and category D powder-cartridge firearms from the territory of the Czech Republic is subject to an export authorisation and to the consent of the country of import. However, this does not apply if the exported firearms and/or ammunition are the property of the country of import.

If the exported firearms and/or ammunition will not leave the customs territory of the European Union, the evidence of export authorisation is the permanent firearm and/or ammunition export waybill (“zbrojní průvodní list pro trvalý vývoz zbraně neb střeliva”). Diplomatic missions and individual members of their staff must obtain their waybills from the Police Presidium.

If the exported firearms and/or ammunition will leave the customs territory of the European Union, the export authorisation must be obtained from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.

 

Contact details
Licensing Office, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

tel.: 224 855 643
Department of Arms and Ammunition of Non-Military Character, Pyrotechnics and Goods regulated by EU
tel: 224 855 635

The above requirements apply only to permanent or temporary import, export or transit of non-military firearms and ammunition. The eligibility to import (or export) to (of from) the territory of the Czech Republic any firearms and ammunition classified as military material is limited to duly licensed  Czech companies ( holders of business firearms licences and licences to engage in foreign trade in ilitary material).