The Czech Parliament has taken decisive action in response to the recent tragic mass shooting that shook the nation. The upper house, the Senate, has joined the lower house in approving changes to the gun law that aim to tighten requirements for owning a weapon.
The legislation, which has now been passed by both houses of Parliament, is awaiting the signature of President Petr Pavel before it becomes law. The new measures come in the wake of the deadliest mass killing in Czech history, which occurred on Dec. 22 when a lone shooter took the lives of 14 people and injured many others before turning the gun on himself.
The assailant, a 24-year-old student, possessed a license to own eight guns, including two long guns, and had no prior criminal record. This tragic incident has prompted a reevaluation of the country's gun laws to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
Under the new law, gun owners will be required to undergo a medical check every five years, a more frequent requirement compared to the current 10-year interval. Additionally, businesses will now be mandated to report any suspicious purchases of guns and ammunition to the police, while doctors will have access to databases to identify patients who are gun owners.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved the legislation in a 66-1 vote, signaling strong support for the stricter gun regulations. Once signed into law by the president, authorities will have the power to seize weapons from private owners on a preventive basis, enhancing public safety measures.
With over 300,000 gun license holders in a population of 10.9 million, the Czech Republic is taking proactive steps to ensure responsible gun ownership and prevent future tragedies from occurring.
