The Czech Republic stands out in Europe with a significantly higher number of legally held firearms compared to its larger neighbor Poland and even surpassing Germany in guns per hundred citizens, according to the latest police statistics. With over 1,040,000 registered pistols, rifles, and other firearms designated for combat and hunting, the Czech Republic has become a notable presence in legal firearm ownership.

In Poland, a country four times larger than the Czech Republic, there are approximately 760,000 guns, and this number is expected to rise following the easing of strict legislation in July. Germany, a country with a larger population, falls behind the Czech Republic in terms of guns per hundred citizens, with civilians holding nearly six guns compared to the Czech Republic’s ten.

Prospective firearm owners in the Czech Republic, falling under category B, including pistols, self-loading rifles, or shotguns, must apply to the police for a purchase permit. However, this process is relatively straightforward for applicants with the appropriate firearm license. Milan Prchal, police director of the firearms service, clarified that the responsible police unit issues a permit if the applicant provides a valid reason for firearm ownership, such as protection of health, life, or property.

Surprisingly, the Czech Republic’s firearm ownership aligns with the global average, according to the Geneva-based research project Small Arms Survey. The country ranked 64th globally and 16th within the European Union, with a value of 12.5 registered and unregistered firearms per hundred inhabitants.

Among the Visegrád Group countries, the Czech Republic leads, surpassing Hungary (10.5), Slovakia (6.5), and Poland (2.5). Sweden (23) and Finland (31) top the list globally, attributed to hunting traditions allowing legal firearm acquisition for specific purposes.

Security expert Josef Kraus from Masaryk University in Brno explained that the prevalence of legal firearms in these countries correlates with hunting traditions and lawful firearm acquisition for designated purposes. The significant number of registered firearms in the Czech Republic showcases the importance of understanding the country’s cultural and legal framework regarding gun ownership.

Article by Prague Forum