Public security

Anti-Terror Move – Encouraging Civilian Self-Defence

The Czech Interior Ministry wants to push through a constitutional amendment which will enable citizens to hold firearms licenses and to use their weapons against perpetrators of terrorist attacks such as those in Berlin or Istanbul. The proposal, which would have to be approved by Parliament, has evoked mixed reactions.

Today, more than 300,000 Czechs have a license and there are over 800,000 registered weapons in the country. Under Czech law, a weapon can be used to protect one’s life or property. Now, the Interior Ministry is proposing to extend the use of arms in defence of the state, i.e. in the event of a terrorist attack, radio.cz reported.

Interior Minister Milan Chovanec argued that despite strict security measures being in place, it is not always possible for law enforcement to guarantee a fast and effective intervention, he added that fast action from a citizen might prevent the loss of many lives. Minister Chovanec says he has reason to believe that the public would welcome such a move. The minister wants to see the amendment approved before the parliamentary elections in October.