Interior Ministry plans to allow doctors access to the national arms register

In the wake of Tuesday’s deadly mass shooting in Uherský Brod, the Interior Ministry is planning to allow doctors access to the national arms register to check whether patients hold a firearm license, spokesperson Hana Malá has said. At present only general practitioners, who issue a health certificate to applicants for firearm licenses, have information about firearm owners in the Czech Republic. The Interior Ministry also wants to extend the powers of the police to be able to immediately seize licenses and firearms from anyone sent for an extraordinary medical evaluation. In the Czech Republic, firearms applicants must meet basic conditions, including citizenship, age requirements, health requirements, and a clean criminal record. Then they must pass a special two-part exam.

Author: Jan Velinger