As of 1 January 2026, a new law on weapons and ammunition is in force, which fundamentally changes the distribution of weapons. Categories A-D no longer exist. Weapons are now divided into R1, R2, R3, R4 (subject to registration), PO (subject to notification) and NO (not subject to notification). Each category has a different legal regime – from a complete ban to free sale without a firearms licence.
Tragic cases of shootings in the Czech Republic – from the attack in Uherský Brod in 2015 to the shooting at the Ostrava University Hospital in 2019 to the shooting at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in December 2023 – each time reopen a strong public debate about the possession of weapons, the responsibility of their owners and the strictness of Czech legislation. As a result, questions regularly arise as to whether the laws are sufficient, who has access to guns and how the state controls their possession.
However, in addition to emotions and media shortcuts, the basic legal reality is often left aside: the Czech legal order distinguishes several categories of weapons, each with a completely different regime of acquisition, possession, registration and control. These differences are crucial for understanding what is legal in the Czech Republic and what is already a violation of the gun law.
For many people, a gun licence is the first step towards legal gun ownership. But it does not stop there. An even more important question is: What category of weapons does a particular gun belong to? This categorisation determines whether a gun can be bought freely, whether you have to declare it, whether you need prior permission from the police, or whether it is completely prohibited for ordinary citizens.
Let’s take a look at what categories of weapons exist, what types of weapons belong to them and what rules apply to them under the current gun law.
The new law on arms and ammunition categorises weapons according to their technical characteristics, purpose and level of risk.
According to this law, weapons are divided into:
A simple rule applies: The higher the security risk, the stricter the regime.
The fundamental change from the previous legislation is that the law no longer speaks of “weapons subject to authorisation” or “subject to notification” in the form of categories A-D, but introduces a single system of registration, notification or complete freedom.
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Category R1 represents the most strictly regulated weapons in Czech law. The law classifies them as prohibited for a simple reason – they are weapons that have an extraordinary destructive potential or pose a significant security risk.
For the ordinary holder of a firearms licence, one thing is essential: they may not handle them without a special exception.
It is therefore not enough to have a firearms licence. Nor is it enough to have been a long-time shooter or hunter. Unless the police specifically grant you a category R1 exemption, any acquisition, possession or other handling of such a weapon is illegal.
What is meant by R1?
Typically, weapons that:
Simply put, these are weapons that the law considers so sensitive that their possession should be the exception, not the rule.
So who can handle them?
Usually only:
In addition, for some particularly effective weapons, the Ministry of Defence is also involved in the process, as they may have an impact on the defence interests of the state.
Therefore, if you are not sure which category a particular weapon falls into, do not rely on assumptions or information from internet forums. In the case of the R1 category, a mistake can have very serious consequences.
The R2 category is also designated as prohibited by law. The main difference with R1 is that the law explicitly allows for an exemption in certain circumstances.
For example, the police may grant an exception for:
Typically, this includes, for example, certain self-loading weapons with a magazine capacity in excess of the limit or weapons resulting from the modification of self-loading weapons.
However, it is also illegal to possess them without a granted exemption.
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Unlike categories R1 and R2, weapons in category R3 are no longer prohibited. However, they are still registered weapons and their acquisition is not automatic.
If you want a weapon falling under the R3 category, it is not enough to have a firearms licence. You also need an individual R3 permit, which is issued by the regional police headquarters.
In other words: the weapon is legally available, but the state wants to verify beforehand that you have a reasonable and lawful reason for possessing it.
When will the police issue the permit?
The law lists several legitimate reasons. Typically, these are situations where you need the gun for:
It is therefore not an exceptional regime only for the “chosen few”. If you meet the legal conditions, are of good character, reliable and medically fit, this category is commonly available.
A permit is always issued for a specific weapon. The police may refuse an application if possession would endanger public order or safety. Even after a permit has been issued, strict security, registration and carrying obligations apply.
The R3 category thus represents a balanced model – the weapon is not prohibited, but the state retains control over who possesses it and for what purpose.
The R4 category is the most practical and common group for most gun permit holders. These are weapons that, although subject to registration, no longer require a special exemption (as with R2) or an individual R3 permit .
If you meet the general legal conditions – you are of good character, reliable, medically fit and have a valid firearms licence – you can acquire such a weapon and subsequently register it.
These are typically common firearms intended for civilian use, for example:
These are not prohibited or ‘special sensitivity’ weapons. The state considers them legal to possess but wants to keep track of them – hence the obligation to register.
Even for R4 weapons, you must properly secure the weapon against misuse, loss or theft, follow the rules for transport and handling , and respect the restrictions on carrying.
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Weapons of category PO represent a lighter regime than R1-R4. They are not subject to registration but are notifiable.
This means that no exemption or individual permit is required to acquire them. However, the law requires their notification.
They may be disposed of by:
In practice, this usually includes, for example, certain higher-performance gas or expansion weapons, certain modified weapons that are no longer full-fledged registered firearms, or selected types of weapons with limited effect that are not considered by the law to be sufficiently risky to be subject to registration.
It is always the technical design of a particular weapon that is decisive, not its trade name or how it is presented by the seller.
The NO category represents the mildest legal regime under the Arms and Ammunition Act. Weapons in this category are not subject to registration or notification. The State does not keep records of them and their acquisition is not linked to a firearms licence. However, this does not mean that they are weapons without rules.
They may be handled by a fully legal adult natural person residing in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with its registered office in the Czech Republic.
Weapons that have lower efficiency or limited design potential usually fall into the NO category. Typical examples include:
The technical classification under the law is always decisive, not the marketing designation of the manufacturer.
In practice, most problems arise not because of the weapon itself, but because of how one handles it.
The new law specifically says that carrying a gun is when you have it loaded or visible on your person in a public place.
Possession means:
Typical example: you go to the shooting range. The gun is unloaded, in a sealed case, stored in the trunk of the car. This is holding (transporting), not carrying.
Carrying means:
Typical example: you have a gun in a holster under your jacket while walking around town. That’s carrying.
This is where the fundamental change comes in. If it is a registrable weapon (R1-R4) and you want to concealed carry it, you need a firearms permit under the expanded permit. So a “regular” gun permit is not enough.
Without an extended permit, you can keep the gun, store it, transport it, and use it at the range. But you cannot legally carry it ready for use in public.
A simple rule of thumb
And if you want to carry a registered handgun, make sure you have an extended firearms license.
The gun law is one of the strictest laws in the country, and the police are very strict in enforcing it. Even a relatively minor mistake or ambiguity can lead to serious consequences – from administrative proceedings to the revocation of a firearms licence or criminal prosecution.
Legal advice is particularly useful if you:
In these situations, it is no longer just a matter of formalities – deadlines, correct reasoning and knowledge of current case law are often decisive. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.
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The Czech Weapons Act distinguishes several categories of weapons, and it is the classification of a particular weapon into category A, A-I, B, C or D that determines whether its possession is completely prohibited, conditional on an exemption, requires prior police authorisation, requires only subsequent notification, or is possible without a firearms licence. While category A and A-I weapons are virtually unavailable to ordinary citizens, category B weapons can only be acquired with a purchase permit, category C weapons are among the most common and require a firearms licence and subsequent registration, and category D weapons are freely available from the age of 18 but are still subject to legal restrictions. There is also a key distinction between owning and carrying a weapon, which is strictly distinguished by law and is a frequent source of problems during checks. Ignorance of these rules can lead to fines, revocation of a firearms licence or even criminal prosecution, so it is always important to know not only that you have a firearms licence, but more importantly what rules apply to the specific category of weapon you own or wish to acquire.
Yes, in certain cases, a weapon may be reassessed as a different category than originally envisaged. Typically, this concerns technical modifications to the weapon, a change in accessories (for example, the use of an over-the-limit magazine) or an interpretation by the Czech Office for Testing of Weapons and Ammunition. If the category changes, this may have a major impact on the legality of possession and the holder is obliged to address the situation without undue delay.
Failure to comply with the legal deadline for reporting or registering a weapon is not just an administrative error. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a misdemeanour or an administrative offence punishable by a fine or the revocation of a firearms licence. The police take into account whether the misconduct was intentional, repeated or linked to other breaches of duty.
Weapons can only be rented under very strict conditions. It is essential that the person to whom you are lending the weapon meets the legal requirements for possession of that category of weapon and that the lending is consistent with the purpose for which the weapon was acquired. The unauthorised loan of a weapon can be considered a breach of the gun law and lead to serious consequences for both parties.
Safe storage of a weapon does not only mean locking it. In particular, the police assess whether the weapon is protected against misuse, loss or access by unauthorised persons, including children. In some cases, the number of weapons held, the type of ammunition, or whether the weapon is stored for a long time or is in common use are also taken into account.
If you are in doubt about the classification of a gun, don’t just rely on information from the dealer or the internet. The official assessment under the Arms Act or the opinion of the competent authority is decisive. Early verification of the category can prevent a situation where the holder unknowingly runs afoul of the law and faces administrative or criminal proceedings.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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