Czech Government Considers Constitutional Right to Arms

Is the Czech Republic taking a hint from the American Constitution? The Interior Minister, Milan Chovanec, has authored a proposal for an amendment. He says that it would not be as strong as the Second Amendment is in the United States.

From euractive.com:

The right to be armed could be included in the Czech constitution. This controversial proposal was discussed by the Czech government this week, with the proposed EU Firearms Directive being mentioned frequently in the debate.

The amendment was backed by the Social Democrats, the main coalition party. The position of other coalition members was not so favourable. ANO 2011, which is currently leading in the polls, was the strongest opponent.

The government has not reached any conclusion on the matter. However, the author of the proposal – Interior Minister Milan Chovanec – perceives this as a positive sign.

The amendment would require the votes of 60% of deputies and 60% of senators,

Minister Chenovac is confident that they can get the 120 votes needed in the Chamber of Deputies.  The proposed amendment would only apply to Czech citizens, not to other members of the European Union. Here is an english translation. From rcgroups.com:

Citizens of the Czech Republic have the right to acquire, possess and carry firearms and ammunition for the purpose of protection of life, health and property and thus participate in the provision of internal order and security as well as of territorial integrity, sovereignty and democratic order of the Czech Republic. Terms and conditions shall be determined by a law.

"Terms and conditions shall be determined by a law."  We have seen that in several state constitutions. It pretty much eviscerates the protective effect of a Constitutional amendment.

 ©2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch