Guns.com recently visited Czechia, also known as the Czech Republic, and asked how the local firearm laws compare to those in the U.S.

While firearms laws in Europe are typically seen as highly restrictive when viewed through American eyes, those in Czechia are a bit less rigid than in the rest of the continent. That, coupled with a strong pro-gun culture and a constitutional right to bear arms-- something incredibly rare outside of the land of Apple Pie and Metallica--  make Czechia something of the Texas of Europe. 

The country is home to such big-name gun and ammo companies as CZ, Brno, and Sellier & Bellot as well as smaller firms like ALFA, Creapeiron, FK Brno, and Laugo Arms. According to the latest statistics from federal regulators, Czechia ranked 8th in terms of firearm imports to the U.S.-- just behind Germany-- logging some 275,943 guns reaching American shores in 2020 alone. 

With a population of just 10 million, the country has over 1 million firearms in the hands of individuals, and almost 250,000 Czechs have permits that allow them to carry firearms for self-protection, again, a momentous difference from the rest of Europe. 

Still, there is a lot of regulation, with legal gun owners expected to pass written and practical exams, be cleared by a doctor, pass a background check, and meet age and residency requirements to obtain a 10-year license in one of 11 distinct categories. 

For a deeper dive, we talked to Lukas Sudek, who has worked for a major Czech gunmaker for over a decade and is the co-host of the Czech Firearms Podcast.  

And remember, never take your right to keep and bear arms for granted.