Chance to surrender illegal guns offered as new law takes effect

With a new weapons act set to take effect on New Year’s Day, the Czech Republic is launching a six-month amnesty program allowing residents to hand over illegal firearms without facing prosecution.

It is the sixth time the country has offered such an amnesty since its independence. From January 1 through June 30, 2026, anyone in possession of unlicensed weapons, essential parts, or ammunition can turn them in at any police station.

Under the terms of the amnesty, officers will not interrogate individuals about where the weapons came from or how they were acquired. “Police will not ask about the origin of the surrendered item,” said Captain Irena Brodská, a police spokeswoman. “Only if the weapon is listed in a search database or if forensic analysis confirms it was used in a crime will officers begin to investigate its history.”

Once a weapon is surrendered, it undergoes ballistic testing. If the firearm is cleared of any criminal connection and is not reported stolen, the person who handed it in can apply to legalize it. They are given a six-month window to obtain the necessary permits to keep the weapon lawfully.

While the amnesty legally covers military munitions and explosives—including grenades and mines—authorities are urging the public not to transport these items themselves.

“The greatest danger arises during transport. Please, do not bring them to the police station,” Brodská said. Instead, finders should call the emergency line, 158, to have a pyrotechnic team secure and neutralize the devices on site.

The amnesty runs alongside the rollout of a new generation of the Central Weapons Register (CRZ), a massive IT overhaul designed to modernize how gun licenses and holdings are tracked. The previous system was taken offline on December 29 to allow for the migration to the new platform, which goes live on the morning of January 1.

The update reflects tighter regulations and improved digital administration of firearms, a legislative priority that has been in the works for several years.

In previous amnesties, Czechs have surrendered thousands of unregistered firearms. The record was set in 2009, when nearly 7,900 weapons were handed over. The most recent round, in 2021, yielded 3,820 items.