Weapons Amnesty in the Czech Republic: More Than 3,700 Weapons Handed In Since the Beginning of the Year
The previous record was set during the 2009 amnesty, when almost 8,000 weapons were handed in
Foto: Tom Def | Unsplash
Illegal firearms and ammunition can still be surrendered to the police without penalty or legalised retrospectively until the end of June. Since the start of the current weapons amnesty, thousands of weapons have already been registered or confiscated.
The ongoing weapons amnesty in the Czech Republic is entering its final phase. According to the Police Presidium, citizens have handed over 3,736 weapons to the authorities since January. The current amnesty is therefore approaching the result of the previous campaign in 2021, during which a total of 3,820 weapons were surrendered. The record, however, remains the 2009 amnesty, when almost 8,000 weapons were handed in, reports Czech broadcaster ČT24.
The highest number of weapons has been surrendered in the Central Bohemian Region. Until the end of June, citizens can voluntarily hand over illegally possessed firearms and ammunition at any police station in the country without facing criminal prosecution.
Foto: Policie České republiky
From Loft Discoveries to Historical Rarities
According to the police, many weapons are discovered while clearing out lofts, cellars or during renovation work. Alongside ordinary hunting rifles and firearms, unusual items continue to be uncovered.
On several occasions, citizens have also brought dangerous military material such as grenades, explosives and ammunition to police stations. In one case, a man arrived at a police station in Jihlava carrying explosives in plastic bags. Experts classified the material as highly dangerous and subsequently carried out a controlled detonation outside the city.
Retrospective Legalisation Possible
Anyone wishing to keep a discovered firearm can apply for retrospective legalisation as part of the amnesty. The condition is that the weapon must not be linked to any criminal offence.
Currently, more than 320,000 people in the country hold a firearms licence. In total, more than one million weapons are registered in the Czech Republic.
